I also think we must be sensitive toward everyone's feelings and show compassion to people born with tendencies that most of the population doesn't share and can't comprehend.
Still, any way you interpret the Jewish Torah — which Christians know as the Old Testament — homosexuality is not a sanctioned way of life.
Therefore, to ordain someone as a teacher and guardian of those religious beliefs while they lead a lifestyle in blatant contradiction to those beliefs is illogical and perhaps hypocritical. I don't take issue with gays assuming leadership positions in other organizations, but it makes no sense to have them take that role in religious institutions that disapprove of their actions. On this issue, I suspect that the leadership of the Conservative movement may be out of sync with its constituents.
Just as I strive to be respectful of gays and lesbians, I hope that population will be respectful of the religious beliefs held by many of Americans and will steer clear of confrontational, offensive acts. I believe that religious fulfillment can be achieved in many ways. Being ordained as a rabbi or other clergy-member is not necessarily the best avenue for those in the homosexual community.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
I wouldn't think to answer this question for other organized faiths. They may ordain whomever they wish. I can, however, answer from what I understand is orthodox Christianity (and the position of my church's association), which holds that the Bible is inspired by God, inerrant and infallible, containing God's instruction for leadership within the church.
Scripture describes homosexual practices with the terms "abomination," "against nature," "shameful," "contrary to sound doctrine" and exchanging "the natural function for that which is unnatural." Friends, those are God's words, and they stand forever. I don't think any of us would accept those descriptions as being appropriate for ordained clergy.
