ABSTRACT
Many religious leaders are embroiled in debates and controversies surrounding homosexuality. Mainline Protestant clergy have long been involved and interested in politics. Clergy remains central players in debates about homosexuality in mainline churches, so understanding how they frame the issue is central to grasping the complex texture of the debates. Pastors who speak about homosexuality tend to focus on the issue's impact on the church rather than its significance for the broader society. The ministers' focus on the denominational level also raises questions about the exact nature of the relationship between local (congregational) and national (denominational) debate. The chapter also presents case studies that illustrate how three clergy feel about the issue of sexuality and homosexuality and what they think about how the church handles it. The case studies demonstrate the range of opinion among mainline clergy on this issue, and how different frames can come together in the comments of individual clergy.
