We are NOT in favor of the Ordination of Gay and Lesbian individuals in the Moravian Church

My opinion has nothing to do with an individuals sexual preference. I do believe homosexuality to be a sin but I do not judge. I have many friends that are gay. As brothers and sisters they still deserve the dignity and respect afforded to anyone else. As for ordination, I would not attend any church with an actively homosexual leader no more than one who's pastor is straight and addicted to pornography, committing adultery, etc. As for marriage, our government is allowing such unions, however, as a church our mandate should be to follow scripture. If the government wants to allow these unions so be it. There is a means for them to have a civil union. I ask this, however, where as a society do we draw the line? I was in law enforcement for 18 years and saw all walks of life. I had this discussion with a fellow Moravian last week. When an incestuous couple comes before the church or even our government are those unions going to be allowed as well. Would we then not be discriminating against them if such unions are not allowed. Our government seems to have a problem drawing the line but we as a church should not.

The people at Westboro Baptist are tragically mislead and hateful people. If you can ask fellow Moravians, who love the Lord to jump off a cliff because they don't agree with your view and choose to express their view by signing this petition, then perhaps you would be better suited to join the ranks of Westboro Baptist because you sir or ma'am from Madison, Wisconsin sound just like them. We will add you to our prayer list.

I'm presenting a petition to the MCNP Synod that we no longer listen to the words if imbeciles who would be better suited at Westboro Baptist - please sign and then jump of a cliff.

I understand that we are all sinners in life but Christ made it very clear about this issue. This would be the same as allowing a Minister to commit adultery every night while teaching God's word. Why not allow a murderer become a Minister who continues to commit murder while preaching God's word. Yes, Christ teaches to forgive the sinner but not forgive the sin. If this gets approved, my family will leave the Moravian Church. There are no other interpretation of God's word than what is clear in the Bible. Christ made no changes that allows the sin of immoral sexual deviance.

We are all sinners, including our church leaders according to our "Chief Elder", God! It is not our job to glorify any sins and it scares me that our church denomination would take any stance that is against God! We are taught to "Go and sin no more." This is very clear to me..... I do not want to be a part of glorifying sin!

First, please read Matt:18:6. Then, realize that what is currently happening in our province is the indoctrination of our children to accept a sinful lifestyle as acceptable and "holy". Are you willing to wager your salvation that homosexuality is not a sin??

NOT in favor!

I fear that if this Proposal is allowed to be instituted it would have a profound deleterious effect on the Moravian Church.

"...all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". Homosexuality is just another manifestation of our desire to exercise our will over the will of our loving Father.

I do not support any agenda in favor of gay or lesbian as leaders in the church as dictated by the book of Jesus Christ. It is a sin period and with Christ's teachings, all sins can be forgiven as long as we accept our sin is against Gods will and we need to refrain from that sin in the future.

I would strongly support the Synod Proposal 121613.pdf as presented by Doug Decker. Anything less has the strong potential to adversely affect the entire denomination.

Homosexuality is a sin. This is very clearly stated in the Bible. It has become so prevalent in society now that it is frightening. i don't want to have it taught from the pulpit also.

The people who are advocating the ordination of homosexuals have their own agenda. This agenda does not conform with the teachings of the Bible. There are those who believe that God changes with what society decides that which is right or wrong. We must not let these people thrust sin upon us.

I was raised a Baptist and joined the Moravian Denomination when I married my wife. The Bible is very clear that God calls homosexuality a sin and a perversion. I nor anyone else is in a position to argue with the one who established the institution of marriage. I am very much opposed to these resolutions.

I oppose gay and lesbian ordination in the Moravian church.

I'm from Luxemburg and I am shocked about this, what is going on in the north-american 'Unitas Fratrum'! In our Country we have now an unbelieving and homosexual primeminister an vice-primeminister; welcome in the end-times. All christians must now hold nondenominational together and pray!

We are angry and deeply grieved that this issue is even under consideration for the Moravian Church Synod of 2014 We are not opposed to gays and lesbians coming to our church - we are all sinners and in serious need God's forgiveness and mercy. So, we welcome all into our church home. We are, however, STRONGLY OPPOSED to the ordination of gays and lesbians, as we believe according to Scripture that homosexuality is an abomination. We have not seen Scripture that tells us to believe otherwise. We as a society seem to be continually "changing" God's Word, His laws and instruction to meet and justify our own lives. God will judge us accordingly. Also, we are most fearful that the passage of this proposal will bring disastrous results financially, emotionally, spiritually and physically to the Moravian Church we know and love. We feel this is a "personal" agenda for a few who have strong influences over many; but that does not make their agenda, the consensus of the Moravian Church as a whole. We as Moravians, ALL NEED TO BE IN FERVENT PRAYER FOR GOD'S LEADING IN THIS VERY CONCERNING ISSUE, WHICH WILL HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH!!

I am in agreement with Doug Decker's proposed resolution that opposes approval of ordination for those who practice a GLBT lifestyle. Such measures, if approved, would result in a severe decline in Moravian Church membership, not to mention subsequent legal actions over ownership of Moravian Church properties as congregations leave the Moravian Synod. Furthermore, it should be recognized at the June conference that hundreds of Moravian Brethren, now meeting in Muslim countries, will be put at risk of their very lives if such approval is passed. Homosexuality is a crime punishable by death. Passage of such a proposal would be like pouring gasoline on a fire. It is spiritual blindness and willful ignorance to God's law and demonstrates indifference to the majority who have already voted this action down in the past. I wish to also state that I do not hate homosexuals. One can love God and have a vibrant Christian life as a homosexual, but not when practicing the proclivities of that lifestyle. Teaching to this effect would be much more valuable than trying to alter what God clearly states.

Point blank we lead by example so how does a person who supposedly follows God's teachings practice unpermitted acts against the Lord Jesus Christ and his word? He sacrificed and gave his life for us all, so why would you not follow his word and be seduced into unpermitted temptation.

The Bible (God's Word) is very clear about the lifestyle of homosexuals as being either "detestable" (NIV) or an "abomination" (King James).