CHICAGO (AP) — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America says that in a town hall meeting Sunday, its presiding bishop was presenting the views of some within his denomination rather than his own views on the Bible and homosexuality.
A questioner asked Bishop Mark Hanson, "Where is there anything other than rejection of homosexual conduct within the Bible?"
Hanson responded that while some Lutherans cite those Scriptures, there are others who say "the understanding we have of homosexuality today does not seem to be reflected at all in the context of the biblical writers, so let us bring our understanding of sexual orientation that has been opened up to humankind over the years to this conversation."
ELCA spokesman John Brooks says Hanson was citing that view without espousing it.
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<<CUT …232 (12/08/09)>> 00:11 "acceptance of homosexuality?"
The Reverend Carlos Pena
The Reverend Carlos Pena reads an online question to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at a church town hall meeting on Sunday.
<<CUT …233 (12/08/09)>> 00:33 "to this conversation"
Bishop Mark Hanson
Bishop Mark Hanson responds to a question about whether the Bible accepts rather than rejects homosexual conduct. ((note length))
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America logo, graphic element in white
