Letters

Lutheran, The, Nov 2003

LYO discussions questioned

Readers don't like direction youth took on sexuality, ethnicity

'There's a new trinity moving forward: diversity, multiculturalism and nonjudgmentalisrri

Your recap of the Lutheran Youth Organization meeting in Atlanta (September, page 37) set a new standard for disturbing. Am I to believe the entire delegation was in lockdown as the result of a nasty comment from one individual? What kind of childish organization is this? Then the LYO supported the "blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate individuals of all sexual orientations in committed relationships." This group has reached the pinnacle of nonjudgmentalism. The most scary aspect of this meeting is that these young lost souls are most likely the ELCA's future leaders. Move over, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There's a new trinity moving forward: diversity, multiculturalism and nonjudgmentalism.

Michael Durkin

Leechburg, Pa.

The lockdown stands as a wake-up call to all of us in the ELCA. In the constitution of virtually every ELCA congregation (model constitution C15.01) and in the ELCA constitution (20.41.02), we've been given specific instructions about dealing with individual and community conflict. The church has generally interpreted Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:15-17 to involve three steps that begin with the opportunity for an individual to come forward privately. secondly the individual may come before two or three of the faithful, and, finally, come before the council. The primary emphasis in this text isn't on discipline but on repeated opportunities for reconciliation. Let's not forget how to handle our conflicts as brothers and sisters in the faith.

Steve Qualben

Temple, Texas

I'm struck by the LYO's one-sided support for predictable social causes, indicating an appalling lack of diversity of opinion despite the LYO president's supposed commitment to inclusivity. And then there was that creepy lockdown to deal with an alleged racist remark. It had more of the flavor of a Maoist re-education camp than a national religious youth gathering. I'm afraid our impressionable youth are being grounded more in acceptable political opinions than in what I thought was the basis of our faith: reconciliation with God through Christ.

Mark Wilms

St. Charles, Minn.

The LYO's support of same-sex blessings and gay ordination follows many ELCA actions: the Board of Pensions covering abortion on demand; sidestepping the confessional basis of communion as Real Presence by full communion with the Reformed churches; and abandoning our integrity by full communion with the Episcopalians who recently demonstrated their disregard for Christian tradition by confirming an openly gay bishop. With the ELCA now having been converted to the side of political correctness, confessional ineptitude and scriptural revisionism, the ELCA is lost. My question is: Where will I worship when I fully retire (I'm a semiretired pastor) and the Lutheran church is no longer?

G.B. Baumgardner

Washington, Ind.

I was pleased to read that LYO delegates declared their inclusivity in the recent vote to become a Reconciling in Christ organization and to support same-sex blessings and the ordination of "noncelibate individuals" of all sexual orientations in committed relationships. Surely this is practicing the inclusive love of Christ. I pray congregations will respond to their urging to discuss and study human sexuality issues. Let us follow the lead of our youth.

Beth Rousing

Grapevine, Texas

Many views on'My View'

I'm responding to Lowell Erdahl's "Come back and sit down" (September, page 10). This is one Lutheran who won't come back and sit down. Now is the time to "stand up." Erdahl's comments sound as if he thinks the homosexuality issue is just another trivial issue that might cause a few members to leave. This issue cannot be trivialized.

Rose Seling

Wooster, Ohio

Erdahl wants those who are leaving the ELCAto return "like an obedient child." How insulting. In encouraging everyone to engage in this conversation about sexuality, the ELCA shows only the latest evidence that it has lost track of the gospel and has walked away from the word of God. Many members think the ELCA has left them-and I don't think our denominational leaders are inclined to come back and sit down.

Tim White

Columbus, Neb.

Should Martin Luther have gone back, sat down and prayed? Would Christianity have been better served if Luther had followed Erdahl's ideas?

F. Neal Sever

Pittsburgh, Pa.

God and other religions

The letters (September, page 56) responding to "When religion becomes evil" (July, page 12) shocked me and made me wonder that the writers could be Lutherans as I am. Unlike me and all others who have heard and obey Jesus Christ's commandment that one should love others as oneself, they seem to be writing their own rules for leading a Christian life. I cannot understand why The Lutheran printed those letters. The only justification I can credit you with is an intention to expose the hatred existing in our church and by so doing, challenge us to think deeply about our own faith.