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Originally posted by: Commander Courage
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Originally posted by: Trooperman
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All I know is I heard that Ratzinger is 100% against female clergy, contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and many other things that groups have been fighting for for years.

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But while I can see where they're coming from with the anti-women clergy, I don't think it should be a "rule." People can have their opinions sure, but that doesn't make it the law of God, even if the people with those opinions hold high postions in the clergy. So, like Warbler, I would welcome an in-depth explanation.

This is a doctrine spelled out in the New Testament (Titus 1:5-7 KJV, which I've just realized is also a prime argument against homosexuals serving in the clergy). If it had been written in the Old Testament, there may have been some wiggle room given that Christians are no longer under Mosaic law. However there isn't. And before you start talking about which bible is correct, etc: This doctrine was handed down in Greek NT manuscripts predating the printing press. This is not a matter of sexism, this goes to what I was discussing before: If you don't like the rules you don't have to join the club. Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything against their will. The issues stated above are beyond debate for Christians, and those that do strive for these changes within the churches are grossly ill-informed about the faith they profess. People need to realize their church is not a democracy. Some Reformed (by Reformed I mean non-Catholic Christian) churches give their laity significant power in oversight on church finances and control, yes, however all issues of doctrine are derived from the bible. Any pastor that deviates from it can and should be removed.

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As for contraceptives, I take it this is going by the verse about God knowing you since *before* you were in your mother's womb. That raises a very interesting topic; are contraceptives on par with abortion in preventign would-be babies from being born?

This is an interesting point....one that I've not considered before. I was on the fence about this, given that I believed that there was no biblical basis against contraceptives. However this may change things for me.