The unending debate over gays

Religion: Mainline denominations prepare for a new round of potential standoffs and more dissatisfaction on all sides | Richard N. Ostling

Krieg Barrie/WORLD

Several U.S. mainline Protestant denominations are about to face their latest showdowns on one of the most vexing issues since slavery: whether to break from biblical morality as traditionally understood to allow clergy with homosexual partners and to sanction blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.

"Mainline" groups (predominantly white, with early American roots, and affiliated with the National Council of Churches) contain vocal, well-organized liberal and evangelical combatants. The resulting dispute "certainly has taken a big toll," says Jack Haberer of Presbyterian Outlook, an independent magazine that airs varied views. "For some, it's the total compromise of all things moral. For others, it's the compromise of all things just," and these "polar positions" dominate discussions while many yearn for compromise.