By Chad Groening and Jim Brown
June 25, 2001

(AgapePress) - The recent ruling by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to lift a ban on the ordination of homosexuals has brought strong opposition from other Presbyterian groups.

At their recent meeting in Louisville, the PC(USA) voted 317-208 to lift a ban on the ordination of homosexuals. However, the measure must be ratified by a majority of the church’s 173 regional governing bodies, or presbyteries, over the next year before it can take affect.

However, according to Crosswalk.com, other Presbyterians --both within the PC(USA) and those who are part of the Presbyterian Church of America -- are calling for a return to conservative doctrine. And a “confessing church movement” has sprung up among some PC(USA) congregations that supports Biblical principles, including that marriage between a man and a woman is the only relationship in which sexual activity is permitted.

The PCA has also condemned the PC(USA) decision, saying that neither heterosexual relations outside of marriage, nor homosexual relations are appropriate.

Homosexual Activist Holds SBC Staffer Hostage
In the meantime, a church staff member and his three children are okay after a homosexual activist angry at the Southern Baptist Convention took him hostage. Baptist Press reports the incident took place at the First Southern Baptist Church in San Diego, California, when David Powell and his three children were shampooing the carpet of the church’s fellowship hall.

Allan Ross, who operates an extensive homosexual website, confronted Powell with a jagged bottom of a glass bottle and told the church staffer, “I will hurt you if I have to.” Powell said the homosexual activist also threatened to cut the artery in his neck and take his own life.

Powell said Ross then proceeded to complain about the SBC’s stance against homosexuality, and made incendiary comments about the Boy Scouts and Christians in government.

San Diego police responded to the scene about 45 minutes after Powell had been taken hostage. Officers ordered Ross to drop his jagged bottle, and when he refused, they shot him twice with a “beanbag” type of bullet and released a police dog on him.

© 2001 AgapePress all rights reserved.

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