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Churches raise tons of food, thousands of
dollars for F.I.S.H.
Pastoral Pondering: It's better to walk in what
God knows
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Religious community jubilant over measure's passage |
Oregon joins 10 other states in banning same-sex
marriage with the passage of Measure 36 |
By Schellene Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
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On Nov. 2, 11 states voted overwhelmingly to
ban same sex marriage. Oregon’s “one man, one woman” initiative,
Measure 36, was no exception.
Jim Ringseth, pastor of Open Bible Church, was strongly in favor of
the passage of Measure 36.
“What has come across in the news is the strong impact the
Evangelical community has had on this election and I am a part of
that group,” he said. “The biggest dilemma I have in regard to
Measure 36 is typical of opponents.”
Ringseth said opponents to the measure worked to make it seem as if
it were a method with which gay marriage would be banned.
“It doesn’t ban civil unions; it doesn’t ban a couple going to the
courthouse and signing over legal rights,” he said. “It’s been blown
out of proportion; the only hatred I’ve seen has been from the
opponents.”
To help the measure along in Newberg, Ringseth said he made himself
available as a courier, picking up yard signs and delivering them to
churches and individuals as far away as Hopewell and back.
His church donated money to help pass the measure, as well. “I know
of many churches who took specific offerings for it,” he said.
He felt his congregation’s commitment to support the meaning of
marriage as being between one man and one woman was a powerful
thing.
Not all pastor’s took as strong a stand for the measure as Ringseth,
who said congregations were sometimes split in their opinion of the
measure. “In a case like that it’s hard for pastors to be decisive,”
he added. “(Pastor’s) worry about losing or alienating people.”
George Hemingway had a slightly different point of view.
“There’s a difference between marriage and holy matrimony,” he said.
“Marriage is a civil affair,” it becomes whatever the civil society
defines it as through its legal systems.”
Hemingway’s definition of holy matrimony is an ancient one.
From the book of common prayer Hemingway recited: “Dearly beloved,
we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless
this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“I am bound by that definition and no other,” he said. “So no
matter what the civil authority says marriage is makes no difference
to me.
“It boils down to whether we as a society want to shift the grounds
of what we call marriage as a society. The church is clear
about (holy matrimony) and has nothing to do with how we feel about
marriage or what society feels about marriage.”
This is an issue that requires more discussion than it has
received, but Hemingway isn’t sure when, or if, society will ever be
ready for that discussion. |
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From
Nov. 6, 2004,
Newberg Graphic
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