In a month marked by the “Building Bridges” program on respectful interfaith relations, and our own lively discussion of other faiths centered around the controversial “Jesus debate,” the event hosted by the Central Presbyterian Church in Huntington on May 24th (Is homosexuality compatible with authentic Christianity?: An evangelical vs. liberal debate) proved to be particularly discouraging. As attested to by this year’s General Assembly schedule, this debate topic is one that faithful Presbyterians clearly do not all agree on, one which requires both respectful dialog and prayerful discernment of God’s will.

This debate was one of an ongoing series conducted by James White, a conservative Baptist minister and biblical scholar, whose fans attend to cheer him on as he takes on various issues, including creationism and the beliefs of other Christian faiths. When White first approached the podium in the Huntington debate, a fan behind me announced, “It’s Hammer time!”  The debate was introduced by a “Christian broadcaster,” who assured the  audience that, differences of opinion to the contrary, there was clearly only one correct side to this issue. The liberal position was taken by Barry Lynn, an ACLU counsel and an ordained UCC minister, who quickly inferred that he was under attack from the audience as well as his competition.  The debate itself centered on various translations of the few oft-repeated verses  generally cited on this issue.

In view of the serious breaches of normal debate protocol and the seriousness of this issue to the host denomination (ours!), I requested a formal apology on behalf of our denomination.  From the tone and content of the reply, it is doubtful that one will be forthcoming; the disrespect was not unintended.