July 16, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The United Reformed Church in Britain has agreed to accept "practising homosexuals" as ministers in churches which choose to elect them. The decision, labeled Motion 19, was made at the general assembly on July 9 by a vote of nearly two to one. It was part of a package of motions presented by a task force which had studied the question of "human sexuality" for more than two years.

Motion 19 also allows churches to refuse to call homosexual pastors. Isn't that broadminded of them!

The resolution also "provided that candidates for the URC ministry cannot be rejected for training purely on the grounds of being in a homosexual relationship" (ENI, July 9, 1997).

Of the 513 Reformed churches which responded to an official survey, 48 stated they would accept a homosexual pastor.

The United Reformed Church claims 102,000 members in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Many liberal ecumenical types claim the Bible does not prohibit homosexuality as such, only "promiscuity." This is nonsense. The Bible says homosexuality is an abomination before God and it defiles the land. Under the Mosaic law homosexuality required the death penalty.

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" (Lev. 18:22).

"And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants" (Lev. 18:25).

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:13).

Romans chapter one labels homosexuality as "vile affections" (verse 26), "against nature" (verse 26), "unseemly" (verse 27), "reprobate" (verse 28).

See Way of Life Literature's End Times Apostasy Online Database and the Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity for more information on this topic.