Liberal Lutherans Want Gay Marriage

Almost every other month we get another group of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America bishops and pastors publically advocating for same-sex marriage and calling on voters to do that same.  This time it is comes from the state of Illinois.

Twenty-seven ELCA pastors and ELCA bishop Wayne Miller, ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, signed a letter, along with 230 other clergy saying, "As people of faith and as citizens of Illinois, we ask you to . . . support the freedom
to marry."  (read here)

A newspaper article in The New York Times, "Illinois Clergy Members Support Same-Sex Marriage in Letter Signed by 260" reported that the Illinois legislature is likely to take up legislation on same-sex marriage in January.

Speaking to The New York Times, "The Rev. Kim L. Beckmann of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who lives in the Chicago area, said she was drawn into the movement 'as my gay and lesbian parishioners were welcomed into our congregation.'

'I have participated in blessings of these unions for longer than we’ve even been talking about marriage,' she said. 'I’m thrilled to take this step.'”

Laurie Higgins, cultural analyst for the Illinois Family Institute, who supports traditional marriage, commented that the clergy letter "is signed quite obviously by faith leaders who have adopted radical, ahistorical, heretical theological views . . . Their views are informed not by careful exegesis, but by personal desire and political convictions.” (read here)

Here is a list of the ELCA leadership who signed the letter -

Bishop Wayne Miller, ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod

Rev. Dan Hoeger, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Paul Carlson, New Life Lutheran Church, ELCA

Dr. Esther Portnoy, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Dr. Kim L. Beckmann, ELCA

Pastor Liala Beukema, Lake View Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Erik C. Christensen, St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square, ELCA

Rev. Michael Fick, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Fred Kinsey, Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Craig Mueller, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. John Roberts, Unity Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Julie Ryan, Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Seminarian Kyle Severson, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Michelle Sevig, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Carrie Smith, Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Dr. Robert Smith, Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Keith Fry, Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Lloyd Kittlaus, University Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Betty Landis, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Jim Honig, Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Patrick McGuire, St. John’s Lutheran Church

Rev. William Veith, Our Lord's Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Dennis Kelly, Lutheran Church of the Ascension, ELCA

Pastor Kathy Nolte, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Dan Schwick, Lutheran Advocacy of Illinois, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Kenneth Storck, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, ELCA

Pastor Stacie Fiedlar, St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rev. Suzanne Anderson-­Hurdle, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA