The new gauge of public opinion

[cindik]

Now even churches use web hits as a way to measure response.

Following a newsworthy General Synod in Atlanta, the UCC's two primary websites -- <ucc.org> and <stillspeaking.com> -- have experienced a noticeable surge in the number of users trying to locate nearby UCC congregations.

Almost 22,000 people have visited the “find a church” link on the websites since the denomination voted to become the first mainline Protestant denomination to affirm same-gender marriage equality Monday.

The traffic volume marks about a ten-fold increase in what is normal for a three-day period, according to Daniel J. Hazard, UCC webmaster.

more: http://news.ucc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=262&Itemid=1


It's a brave new world.


Betsy, you may be interested in the whole same sex marriage debate on several forums at http://forums.ucc.org/. I even brought up the intersex issue (I have a couple of friends with bodies like yours): http://forums.ucc.org/viewtopic.php?p=9089#9089

[Andilinks]

It's a brave new world.But like the old one, religion and marriage seem inextricably tied together...

Choose to marry someone who worships as you do and choose to worship where your marriage is approved. Isn't freedom wonderful? I think freedom is my religion.

Andi

[TVB]

Betsy, you may be interested in the whole same sex marriage debate on several forums at http://forums.ucc.org/. I even brought up the intersex issue (I have a couple of friends with bodies like yours): http://forums.ucc.org/viewtopic.php?p=9089#9089

:yeah:

[cindik]

FWIW, Betsy, the one response I have received thus far is:

1. Alas, we live in a fallen world. I would say first that we should not base our policy on the very small percentage that make up this group. Second, it should be case-by-case, with prayer. Perhaps such a person should remain celebate.
2. Not sure what kind of people you are talking about. Again, how many people are in this situation? Whatever it might be, I would say again take on a case-by-case basis.

[TVB]

Perhaps such a person should remain celebate.

Ugh...

Again, how many people are in this situation? Whatever it might be, I would say again take on a case-by-case basis.

1 in 2000 is not an insignificant number. For perspective, it's about the same number of live births that are affected by cystic fibrosis and the same number as downs syndrome.

[cindik]

Ugh...



1 in 2000 is not an insignificant number. For perspective, it's about the same number of live births that are affected by cystic fibrosis and the same number as downs syndrome.

I posted some stats from ISNA (with a link to the site).

There was a time when it was thought that homosexuals comprised only very small perverted part of society, and so society could easily ignore their needs and feelings.

We need to get to a place where people count, no matter how "statistically irrelevant" their differences may be.

[TVB]

I've been peeking in there sporadically, Cindi. It seems that it may have been too big of a concept for people to get their heads around. I struggled with biting my tongue and not registering in order to post about the celibacy comment.

I'm still going back to it however, because it seems like such a bizarre response, albeit one that certainly reflects a certain amount of ignorance to what the issue is all about. The poster likely thinks we are something we are not.

Of course, I also wanted to post that SpongeBob Square Pants is also a hermaphrodite, as all sponges are. :EG:

I do appreciate and am grateful for your clearheaded reasoning that shuns the labels and addresses the issues as one affecting real people, and not some rare mythical creature.

Betsy