| Accepting Evangelicals is a
network of Evangelical Christians who believe that it is ok to be both Evangelical and open to accepting or affirming
views on homosexuality.
It is both national & ecumenical and welcomes anyone who would call themselves an
Evangelical. Among its founders are Benny Hazlehurst and Paul Roberts, both Anglican vicars who have served on General Synod, and Jeremy & Bren Marks, founders of ‘Courage’.
"We want to create a space for Evangelicals to be able
to sign up to an accepting or affirming position on the gay issue without having to stop being Evangelicals!” said
Benny Hazlehurst. “We are passionate about the Gospel, & believe in the authority of Scripture, but are prepared to
accept that there is more than one way to interpret the Bible on this issue.”
Accepting Evangelicals believe
that many Evangelicals are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the hard-line statements that are being
issued on their behalf. The network also wants to engage constructively with those who are opposed to the acceptance
of faithful, loving same-sex partnerships.
“The Bible clearly condemns casual sexual relationships for both
homosexuals and heterosexuals but that is not the issue which we are facing in the church today in terms of our
attitude to homosexual Christians who are in stable committed relationships”
Membership of the network is
free, and people can join up via the web site www.acceptingevangelicals.org/membership info.htm
We need to break the myth that being a pro-gay Evangelical is a contradiction in terms so if you call
yourself Evangelical, come and visit the web site, join up, and give us your feed back.”
www.acceptingevangelicals.org
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