Church defrocks homosexual minister

Eyewitness News 5 from Minneapolis reports, via Associated Press, that the highest court within the United Methodist church has defrocked a homosexual minister for violation of church teachings.

A church panel decided in December that the Rev. Irene "Beth" Stroud, 35, by being in a lesbian partnership, engaged in practices that the church has declared incompatible with Christian teachings. The panel's decision was overturned by the Northeast Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals, but the Judicial Council backed the original ruling. The Judicial Council ruled Monday that the appeals committee "erred in reversing and setting aside the verdict and penalty from Rev. Stroud's trial."

Encouraged by exclusively favorable coverage in the MSM, the homosexual lobby is pushing hard for general acceptance of the lifestyle. Because of increased societal acceptance of homosexual behavior, the activists are attempting to make inroads in many of our cultural institutions, but in many cases, like with the church, they are overreaching.

Homosexual priests have created havoc throughout the Catholic Church, which was tolerated for years by John Paul the Great. Pope Benedict understands the consequences of turning a blind eye to the problem, and is taking affirmative steps to expose those who live contrary to hundreds of years worth of church doctrine.

Frequently the more "liberal" churches, such as ECLA, the Methodists, and the Anglican church have allowed open homosexuals into their clergy. This has created turmoil and schisms, particularly within the Anglican church, which threatens to split.

These are contentious issues, and it's important to recognize that the issues are not about the person, but instead the behavior and lifestyle.