To discriminate in its base sense is simply to make a decision between different things whether conceptual or physical.
By our rules of debate and order as found in the appendices of the Manual, inasmuch as General Council has made certain undisputed decisions about affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender orientations, I don't think presbytery has the right to be otherwise than affirming, but that does not diminish the constitutional rights of congregations or sessions to determine otherwise.
Personally,
| - | I have lesbian and gay friends; |
| - | it is not sexual orientation that faults us but, rather, what we do
with it; so, what I do with my heterosexuality is not excused because my wife died two years ago; |
| - | homosexual/bisexual orientation does not preclude being christian; biblically sin is primarily a broken relationship with God, there is no such thing as a big sin or a little sin, and we are all sinners [rom3:23]; so, biblically my sin is not different from anyone else's -- even from whatever might be the sin of a homosexual/bisexual; the difference is not primarily in what I do, but in what I say about it, and in what I encourage others; |
| - | the church should not approve practicing homosexuality/bisexuality; equally the church should not approve other practices accepted by many christians; it is no more offensive that a homosexual/bisexual might have an affair than that a heterosexual might have an affair or unrepented greed; if sinners were not allowed in the church would be a very empty place; |
| - | not approving practicing homosexuality/bisexuality does not mean these are outside the church -- all need support in walking this life. |
What the church debates is
| - | what the yardstick is, not whether it applies to some and not to others; |
| and, respecting discrimination, | |
| - | "how do we not discriminate against those we perceive as discriminating?" |