Virginia Bill Would Alter Rules on Church Property

[davidinalameda]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55385-2005Feb1.html

A bill before the Virginia Senate has alarmed the Episcopal Church and other mainline Protestant denominations that are deeply torn over the ordination of gay ministers and the blessing of same-sex marriages because, they say, the measure would give local congregations unprecedented powers to break away from their national denominations.

Several major church groups on Tuesday urged lawmakers to reject the bill, which they said would entangle state government in church politics.

The bill, now on the Senate floor, would allow congregants to vote to leave their denominations and keep their church buildings and land, unless a legally binding document such as a deed specified otherwise.

what the fuck is going on in Virginia?

did they hit a timewarp and go back like 500 years?

[Freedom_from_Chains]

1. Hey what can you say

When the church decides to climb in bed with the government there are going to be days that works for you, and there are going to be days that works against you.

It is unfortunate that many Christians, who are clamoring for the government to legally validate them, do not understand that basic principle.

[Ian David]

2. Although I favor the wall between church and state, I say go for it!

If churches want to split over gay marriage the way they did over slavery, I say go for it.

If churches that don't believe in the separation of church and state want to experience first-hand the horrors of what happens when you knock holes in that wall, I say go for it.

[WoodrowFan]

3. it's dead

it's as good as dead, even the sponsor admitted it. BTW, the sponsor belongs to an Episcopal Church that wants to split from the mainline church because they ordained a gay Bishop. Alas, the national church owns the actually church building and grounds, which date back far enough that George Washington attended services there. This leaves the congregation (which includes numerous RW politicians and talking heads) with a choice.

1. leave over their principals and give up worshiping where George Washington did.

2. Stay despite their feelings about gays but enjoy knowing that they are attending the same church as ol George.