We ve looked closely at scripture and abused it and misused it. We ve been wrong at least three out of four times, and I think we are in this instance as well. Much of the rest of the Anglican Communion takes a harder line even than we do. When we decided to ordain women, we were the only church in the Anglican Communion to do this. Now, well over half ordain women.
Someone has to be the first.
Taking the long view, we notice Jesus disdain for the self-righteous. He spends his time with outcasts and sinners. When we realize we are all sinners, perhaps we ll be less likely to point the finger at those whose sins are different from our own. I can t see his suggesting that we stomp on the downtrodden. My opinion may be wrong.