Ship of Fools: Same sex marriage in the Scottish Episcopal Church

Thread: Same sex marriage in the Scottish Episcopal Church Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Tulfes (# 18000) on :

The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church has on 12 June agreed to proceed towards changing its doctrine on marriage to allow same sex marriages to be celebrated in the SEC. It's a lengthy process which will involve two further General Synods, so it will be 2017 at the earliest before the first same sex marriages will take place. There will be a conscience opt out for clergy who dissent.

Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :

Though strictly speaking none of that is certain yet. It's been confirmed that Synod will consider changes to the canon, not that any will be passed or what they will be. Either the changes themselves or the conscience clause could still be voted down. Still, it's a positive step, as was the decision to vote down an amendment to keep the canon as is and have a conscience clause for those who wanted equal marriage, which the con-evo faction (both of them!) were pushing as a "gracious compromise"(!).

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :

Given the rate at which the number of marriages is falling, I can't help thinking that sooner or later churches will be clamouring for same-sex couples.

AG

Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :

There's mild (if somewhat naughty) entertainment to be had by watching the anti-gay crowd stomp and huff and claim they represent 40% of Sunday attendance in the SEC and threaten to take their ball home with them unless we all agree to be as homophobic as they are.

Posted by *Leon* (# 3377) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
There's mild (if somewhat naughty) entertainment to be had by watching the anti-gay crowd stomp and huff and claim they represent 40% of Sunday attendance in the SEC and threaten to take their ball home with them unless we all agree to be as homophobic as they are.

Where are they threatening to go to?

Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Given the rate at which the number of marriages is falling, I can't help thinking that sooner or later churches will be clamouring for same-sex couples.

AG

Yes, it does seem curious, doesn't it, that pretty much the only people nowadays who seem to think that getting married is worth the effort are gay. You'd think we'd be taking as many as we can get!

Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :

Why would that be a factor?

Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :

Just being flippant, really. Doesn't affect my views on SSM one way or another.

Posted by Tulfes (# 18000) on :

quote:
Originally posted by *Leon*:

quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
There's mild (if somewhat naughty) entertainment to be had by watching the anti-gay crowd stomp and huff and claim they represent 40% of Sunday attendance in the SEC and threaten to take their ball home with them unless we all agree to be as homophobic as they are.
Where are they threatening to go to?

As I understand it, the dissenting clergy (only 9 of them, I believe) lead evangelical Anglican churches, all or mostly in the cities, which are semi detached from the SEC and own their own buildings. It wouldn't be difficult for them to leave the SEC ( situation very different from the sad breakaway of St George's Tron in Glasgow from the Ch of Sc in 2012 when the congregation lost its recently upgraded city centre showpiece building).

[ 15. June 2015, 12:52: Message edited by: Tulfes ]

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