Justin Welby: Too many LGBT people have heard ‘the words of rejection’ from Church of England

Too many LGBT people have heard “the words of rejection” from the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Justin Welby made the remarks in his opening address to the General Synod 2023, the national assembly of the Church of England, which will debate its policy on blessings for same-sex couples.

The church’s recently announced policy of allowing blessing for same-sex couples but not their marriage in church buildings has caused controversy.

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[pastureland]

The reason LGBT people feel rejected by the church is that they are unable or unwilling to separate their sin from their identity.

The rest of us know we are sinners, scumbags and perverts and we approach God from this position. As such we find forgiveness through our genuine remorse, acceptance by Him, and strength to battle our lusts knowing that they are both wrong in His sight and detrimental to us.

The mainstream UK denominations, whether through the need to fill the pews or simply over compassion [after all Peter wanted to stop Christ going to the cross because he thought it wouldn't be nice for Him Math 16:23], seem unwilling to stand on biblical teaching.

Exciting times; God cannot or will not leave Himself without witness on earth!

[alisonwelch]

Oh dear. He really doesn't know God at all. Too busy in the world. Appeasing the world. The culture. Which is Romans 1. Prayers for the fallen Church.

[SRC]

This guy is very dangerous for Christianity. What does it say in the bible false prophecy well hes leading the way.

[angelinegrows]

Im only a lay person sir, but I read my bible and it’s not God who leads us to believe we are rejected because we are sinners, it’s SATAN who convinces us we know better than our creator as to who and what we are . Eve fell for the lie and now look at us, trapped in sin and blaming God. Believing the devils lies that God Hates is sinners. I am just a forgiven sinner who repented, and yes, taking up that cross meant leaving behind the fleshly. Making sacrifices and stepping out of the world’s belief system. Jesus is Lord!!!

[Ifbc]

"Mathew 7:15" describes this church very well.

[abotariq]

Man is not a woman
Man is not God
One is not three
Who died once is not God

[Billy]

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.

[guff]

Start following what is written in the bible and STOP GAYING

[JahnnCooper]

Oh my goodness Archbishop, the Church is NOT rejecting people, but their acts; not their God given identity, but the one they have chosen. It seems like they have fooled you too. We won´t have to pay for this, the children will, and it is already happening, so many children saying, "why didn´t any one tell me?"

[HolySon]

“Both prophet and priest are godless;
even in my temple I find their wickedness, ”
declares the Lord.
“Therefore their path will become slippery;
they will be banished to darkness
and there they will fall.
I will bring disaster on them
in the year they are punished, ”
declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:11-12

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

[janined]

He is NOT speaking the words that Jesus would have him say, i.e., calling them out for their sin and telling them about Jesus' forgiveness and healing, so they can be set free of the evil and destructive lives they are living. There IS freedom to be found in Jesus!

[jimheslehurst]

Those “‘words of rejection” include yourself (in the House of Lords)

[chrissingletary]

I don't think you understand love Justin. Love isnt the acceptance of sin... It is the repentance of sin. Christians should not, nor ever hate the sinner but love the sinner and hate the sin. Don't confuse the two. We were not called to be part of the world but to be called out of it.
We accept the sinner as we have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but we are not to accept the sin! God judged the Earth because of sin. He will judge it again because of it..

[dominiqpowell]

When I hear you people of the cloth talking, remember God's rules and laws first, not mens. God never changes, men are peculiar and are always shape shifting, depending on fashion. God loves all, but not our sins.

[FollowingJesusForever]

So we won't entertain sin and marry people in the church but if people want to sin which the Bible clearly shows is an abomination to the lord, we will bless it, such hypocrites.

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10

[paulwild]

Archbishop! Stop. Become a Christian and see what God the father has to really say. Could I tell god you said it’s ok to sin

[keithrogers]

It’s heartening that Archbishop Justin has finally issued a nuanced apology for the rejection and hurt suffered by gay people in parts of the Church of England.
Nobody should be rejected, stigmatised or vilified for an innate part of themselves that they cannot change, ie a love orientation towards those of the same sex(being gay is an emotional as well as sexual attraction to the same sex).
Those who regard gay sex as a sin should still have the grace to treat gay Christian’s with love and dignity.I don’t believe gay sex is a sin in the context of a loving union-but even if it were a sin -NOBODY has the right to demonise and harshly condemn this one sin when every church is full of grievous sinners-be if angry people, remarried divorcees, co-habiting straight couples, liars, greedy people, those who refuse to help the poor or vulnerable-indeed in Matthew 25:46 Jesus says those in this last category will inherit hell.
Even if you think gay sex is a sin it isn’t a “mega sin”, and for Jesus, it doesn’t feature in his list of mortal sins.
So good to see Justin show some remorse and humility.

[Daisy-tllh]

according to the teachings of Jesus and the Saints with respect to sexual union there is one man and one woman, there is no third way and certainly no gender neutral way, the Church of England is the only church in the UK without a congregation, it's about time we asked the Church of England whether or not it is still a Christian church and whether Justin Welby is worshiping a Christian God?

[terencend]

If I come to the church as a thief and fornicator would you say to me ‘the church accepts you’ and tell me I need to repent and be saved or welcome me by celebrate and accept my sin without telling
Me I need to repent.

[keithrogers]

These blessings that Justin is referring to do indeed celebrate and acknowledge LOVE-mutual support, mutual flourishing and the emotional intimacy that characterise a committed long term gay civil partnership or marriage.
Such devoted unions aren’t primarily about sex anymore than straight marriages are.