Evangelical Lutheran Church backs away from Christian chastity

Another sad report from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Again, I am deeply grieved by this as the ELCA was the denomination I was raised in. From the report:

Minneapolis, Minn., Aug 21, 2009 / 07:41 pm (CNA).- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Wednesday approved a new policy that no longer declares marriage as “the appropriate place” for sexual relations, but rather calls for “social trust” in associations that are “loving” and “committed.”

Wow. Those terms could be defined as pretty much anything. I can't believe such a statement that undermines the value and sacredness of sex and completely diminishes the depth of our depravity could be approved by any denomination that claims to take the Bible seriously. This is mind boggling to me.