Well, there's that pesky little thing called an intention to amend our lives, with the help of God.
Yes, there is that pesky little thing about our promise to amend our sinful lives. And, if we really are honest about it, who among us makes that promise without our fingers crossed? Which sins may we intentionally commit without breaking that promise? And, when we break that promise - which we all do - which sinners are permitted to repent, only to break it again etc. etc.?
My point is really pretty simple. If you apply to Law as rigidly to all other sinners as you would to the homosexual, there is no hope for any of us. But, we know there is hope and we know the source of our hope. If God's grace is sufficient to include sinful me, God's grace is sufficient to embrace every sinner who places their trust in God's promise of forgiveness in Jesus.
John,
I'm afraid you misunderstand the point of contention in the ELCA over the last decade.
Pr. Charlton - I appreciate the explanation. I am not taking a position in support of (or in opposition to) the decisions made at the 2009 CWA. I am affirming your list #1 - 6.
And, as a footnote, I would also argue that the Church ought to get out of the civil union business and the state should get out of the marriage business. If we did that, it would be easier for Christians to support the notion of equal rights to benefits that society choose to associate with civil unions.