THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994                TAG: 9408260020
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A18  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   42 lines

HOMOSEXUAL `BEHAVIOR' IS THE ISSUE

There is a struggle going on in this country - and in its churches - to convince people that whatever cause one champions reflects the overwhelming opinion of ``mainstream America.'' You name it: health care, the crime bill, separation of church and state, prayer in schools, outcome-based education and, now, ordination of homosexuals as priests in the Episcopal Church. From the president on down, we hear the words: ``The American people want'' - whatever. How does anybody presume to make such a statement without an election or a careful survey?

Scott E. King (letter, Aug. 23) claims that ``a small group of conservative Christians is inaccurately portrayed as the mainstream force (in opposing the ordination of homosexuals as clergy in the Episcopal Church).'' King commends Frank Vest, bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, for his leadership and his willingness ``to stand up for all of his people.'' Of course, that cannot be true: It would be an impossible task given the division that has been created among Christians over the issue of ordaining homosexuals as ministers.

While there may be some in the Episcopal Church who would openly accept homosexuals in positions of leadership, the claim that ``most members of the diocese support (this position)'' is hardly objective. The huge increase in membership of Episcopalians United - a group opposed to ordination of homosexuals - provides evidence that many concerned Episcopalians do not support the proposed changes.

It is certainly true that the church is called on, as Christ does, to love all people. There is no difficulty with that. But we are not commanded to be accepting of all behavior. Sexual ``orientation'' is not the problem; ``behavior'' is, and the ``behavior'' of homosexuals puts them beyond the pale of acceptability for leadership roles in the church.

ROGER F. BUXMAN

Virginia Beach, Aug. 23, 1994 by CNB