Saturday, July 12, 2008

A Short Take on Alternative Lifestyles and Church Membership

From VirtueOnLine:

The latest figures show that pro-homosexual denominations are losing members. According to a report by J. Grant Swank Jr., The Episcopal Church has been at the forefront of baptizing active homosexual lifestyle as God-blessed. Since 1960, it has decreased in membership by 48%. The United Methodist Church has been roiled by those adamant on establishing homosexual lifestyles as Christian legitimate. In the fight for one side or another, that denomination has decreased in membership by 25%. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has likewise been embroiled in the tussle. That denomination has decreased in membership by 44%. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has also been riddled with in-house fighting over homosexual lifestyles as anti-God or pro-God. That denomination's membership has decreased 74%. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has permitted the fight to be more open with some in administration arguing homosexual lifestyles as okay with God. That denomination's membership has decreased by 31%. The United Church of Christ (Congregational) has defended aggressively homosexual activity as totally legitimate in the definition of "Christian." In the last 40 years, that denomination has lost 40% of its original membership.

By contrast, denominations preaching the Bible as divine revelation, openly stating their love for homosexuals, but their disdain for homosexual activity, have grown in membership and church attendance. The Southern Baptist Convention has increased in membership by 76% according to the National Council of Churches statistics for 2007.

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