Reform Judaism will debate the issue of sanctioning same-sex marriages in March. The United Methodist Church is scheduled to debate the same issue in May and, in June, the Presbyterian Church will take up the matter.

In mid-summer, the Episcopal Church will discuss and decide at its national convention whether or not to accept a recommendation from an Episcopal commission that the church continue to allow individual dioceses to decide on their own if they will bless same-sex unions.

One wonders if churches are reading the Book-the Bible-or opinion polls, as they formulate their policies. While this is an explosively controversial subject in our present society, it is not a new question for the Church of God. The early New Testament Church was also confronted with it.

The apostle Paul addressed it in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10:

"Do not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled); neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats-swindlers and thieves; nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God" (Amplified Bible).

The language is strong and plain. Based upon the biblical instruction, the United Church of God, an International Association (publisher of World News and Prophecy) believes any homosexual behavior to be both unnatural and sin (Romans 1:26-27).

However, the UCGIA does not discriminate against those who have chosen or been forced into such mistakes.

Note what follows the above quote from 1 Corinthians 6:

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11, New King James).

That is, members of the Church of God in Corinth had participated in some or all of the sins listed-including homosexuality-but later became converted and turned from their sin. Following the scriptural example, the UCGIA graciously welcomes into its fellowship all people who repent of their sins-any sins. ( The Christian Science Monitor, February 14, 2000. )