41. UNDERSTANDING OF HOMOSEXUALITY
(Presbytery of North Queensland)

That the Assembly:

41.1 request responses from all Presbyteries in reference to their Biblical, theological and pastoral understanding of homosexuality with particular reference to the relationship between homosexuality and a Christian lifestyle and the responses between homosexuality and the Christian ministry (both lay and ordained);

41.2 authorise the Standing Committee to use the above-mentioned responses to formulate a formal position of doctrine as soon as it is practical to do so.

Rationale:
We refer the Assembly to the process for debate held on Baptism in the early 1990s. Papers were issued and Presbyteries made responses by which the Assembly then made a decision by which it was stated that the present position would remain. The Assembly acknowledged possible painful exclusion of some of its agents, members, congregations and Presbyteries. The Assembly was content to hear the Word of God from the wider church on this issue. Why is there a perceived reluctance to apply the same principles with sexually related issues?

42. SEXUALITY (Presbytery of the Far North Coast)

That the Assembly:

42.1 recognises that historically the Christian Church has upheld the biblical ideal of faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and sexual abstinence for those not called to marriage and that the majority of Uniting Church members hold that position today;

42.2 recognises that there are people within the church who experience themselves as having other sexual orientations (including an orientation to homosexuality) and assures them of its intention that they be listened to, welcomed at the Lord's table and ministered to pastorally and sensitively along with all other persons;

42.3 regrets and condemns irrational fear of persons with different sexual orientations, vilification of them, violence towards them, violence and abuse in marriage, and any trivialising or commercialising of sex;

42.4 recognises that questions concerning the authority of scripture and the tradition of the church arise, and so does nothing that might seem to legitimise the blessing of same sex unions or ordain or offer major leadership roles to those involved in same gender sexual practices until such questions are resolved by the Assembly;

42.5 affirms the biblical principle of faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and sexual abstinence for those not called to marriage as the ideal of the Uniting Church for its members.

Rationale:

Where there is divergence on a major issue in the church there is, inevitably
· confusion if not conflict
· the probability that some will believe they are free to act contrary to traditional Christian convictions, and the tradition of (in our case) the Uniting Church its Basis on Union and the resolutions of its various councils.
· the likelihood that a situation will be allowed to develop which would be difficult to reverse and which de facto determines the issue.

The latter concern is heightened when, as has happened, a congregation Elders Committee is told by a person holding high office in the Church that "there will always be room in the Uniting Church for people like you, but it will be a church inclusive of homosexuals".

As well, sexuality and therefore sexual ethics are very basic to life. According to the recent National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity in the U.S.A., 15% of internet users have visited online sex chat rooms or pornographic sites. Television in Australia both commercialises and trivialises sex and sexuality. Safe sex, so called, is in the curricula of many educational institutions. Homosexual activists promote their views increasingly. Everyone has a sexual drive and orientation, influenced in various ways, not least by the continuing unresolved debate in the Church.

Given:
(i) that sexuality and sexual ethics are very basic to life;
(ii) that there is growing divergence in sexual ethical matters in the world around us;
(iii) that there is continuing lobbying in respect of homosexuality;
(iv) that much pain has been caused by the debate and by the words and actions of some church members;
there is a great need for the church to offer shepherding guidance to the community in these matters. We therefore propose the above.