One group of Christians confidently proclaims that a plain reading of the Bible is a slam dunk in their favor. The other side appeals to Scripture’s grand narrative toward freedom and inclusive love…

Sound familiar? It could be 2010—or the mid-19th century.

As U.S. churches and denominations slog through divisive and long-running arguments over homosexuality, many Protestant progressives have sought to claim the historical and moral high ground by aligning their cause with abolitionism.

“I think almost everybody who makes the liberal argument about homosexuality makes the connection with abolition and slavery,” said the Rev. Jeffrey Krehbiel, a Washington, D.C., pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) who supports gay rights…

But there are key differences between the disputes over slavery and homosexuality, historians say.

For instance, many conservatives say that it is not simply the gay issue that is driving them out the door, but a long liberal trend in mainline denominations that stretches back 30 years or more.

Secondly, Scripture shows only a grudging tolerance of slavery, a far cry from its ringing endorsement of heterosexual unions, argues Robert Gagnon, an associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

“What kind of legitimate analogy can be made between the two? In my opinion, absolutely none. It’s just night and day,” he said…

As with slavery, few Christians are neutral on homosexuality. “Like the situation in the 1830s and `40s, once a certain kind of heat is generated it becomes really hard to talk through these various kinds of debating strategies and implications,” says Mark Noll, a professor of American religious history at the University of Notre Dame.

Read More: http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/gay_debate_mirrors_church_dispute_split_on_slavery/