Founder And Senior Pastor Of Crystal Cathedral Robert H. Schuller Apologizes For Anti-Gay Covenant Church Choir Asked To Sign

An update on a previous post, Robert H. Schuller, the founder of the Crystal Cathedral, told The Orange County Register Wednesday that he strongly disapproves of an anti-gay covenant his own church administrators asked choir members to sign, saying it goes against the principles of tolerance, acceptance, and positive thinking, tenets on which he built his 50 year old ministry. Schuller contacted the Register himself to say he did not know about the existence of such a covenant and would have personally never approved it. "I have a reputation worldwide of being tolerant of all people and their views," he said. "I'm too well-educated to criticize a certain religion or group of people for what they believe in. It's called freedom." The "Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant," which choir members have been strongly encouraged to sign, states that members should commit to being Christians by following The Bible in every way, stating in part "I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman." Some choir members said this week that they were upset by the statements made in the covenant and would refuse to sign the document. Schuller said he supports the view of homosexuality as detailed by the covenant, but adds "That doesn't mean that we are going to start a crusade against homosexuals. But if my church members required covenants, they would no longer live up to the principles of being positive that marks the history of the ministry of Robert H. Schuller."Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman could not be reached for comment Wednesday. She released a statement Tuesday saying that the Cathedral is standing by the Reform Church's views on homosexuality and that covenant does not mean homosexuals are not welcome in the church. She apologized for the pain the document caused choir members and other church members, but stressed it was a statement of faith on the part of the church. The covenant also placed a strong emphasis on church leaders and choir members being Christian. "We have never been for covenants or definitions," Robert Schuller said. "We don't test anyone who comes to our ministry. We don't require them to be Christian. We would not demand that they be born-again Christians."