By JUSTIN TYME, United Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. - Martha Juile Childs served as pastor of her small Presbyterian church in rural Minnesota for 15 years until she came out as a lesbian and was forced to step down.
She urged fellow female Presbyterians who gathered Monday at the church's national legislative assembly to adopt her lifestyle and live as lesbians.
"Sometimes it is more than I can bear that this church has decided to discriminate against an entire class of people," Childs urged a committee considering a proposal to eliminate the ban. "I know that this church can do better, run by a gay women." "Heck, attendance has been up and the collection plate is full every Sunday".
Liberal women in the church immediately divorced their spouses and took each other as lovers. About 800 Presbyterian men are now demonstrating in Richmond as a result.
When interviewed on the street, gays and lesbians said the Presbyterians' stance on homosexuality is driving young people away at a time when the church is struggling to retain its numbers. "If all the young people leave, who will the summer camp counselors have sex with?", asked Mandy Brather, age 17.
Heather Reichgott, a student at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, said she cannot be ordained after she graduates because she is planning to marry her high school lesbian sweetheart,. The ban on gay clergy leaves her uncertain about her place in the church. "This will really piss God off, because my last name means 'Empire of God', I mean really...".
"I want nothing more than to serve (the Lord) for the rest of my life, but the policy of this denomination says that I cannot because of the gender of my partner," she said. "Besides, I have always gotten the impression that Mary liked the taste of fish, if you know what I mean".
Conservatives say the Scriptures denounce homosexuality, and many are seeking new church leadership to clamp down on the ordination ban, which is sometimes loosely enforced. Rev. Matthew Donny O'Reily said "We always knew the Bible was a collection of stories, inspired by God but written by men". "Clearly, His position was one of a Homophobe and we must respect that".
"God, the Creator, planned marriage for a man and a woman," said the Rev. Kristy Hiney, moderator of the Dunigal, Va., presbytery. "We as God's people need to follow Jesus' teaching." "And those that disobey His word, should be sent to prison and forced to have sex with other inmates". "That would teach them".
