Gay Clergy-About time or moral oxymoron?

In a blatant abuse of my powers, I've taken upon myself the Featuring of this Poll and Discussion. I look forward to seeing the poll results and hope the subject engenders some interesting statements of and expansions on viewpoints. I sure hope this works.

Much has been made lately of the Gay Episcopal Bishop Candidate Brouhaha, and I suspect much, much more will come of it. Apart from dissension within The Anglican Communion, there are implications, considerations, and consequences involving the interrelationships and liasons among Christians and Non-Christians alike. Implied here is a repudiation of an ancient cultural approbation, a paradigm shift in perception and tolerance, or further polarization, divisiveness, and isolation. The situation calls for extremes in viewpoints and suffers from a powerful association with deep seated emotions and personal subjectivity. Regardless whether one is repelled by, indifferent to, or confirmed in any particular sexual orientation, if one examines the issue at hand, core values and basic precepts come to play. Few aspects of humankind's social consciousness engender more partisanship and enthusiasm than do Sex, Religion, and Politics. Put all three together and you may expect vigorous controversy. Supporters of the proposition are no more or less educated, ethical, principled, moral, or otherwise worthy or unworthy than are those opposed, as a whole, and the lunatic fringes of both sides pretty much balance one another. Both sides can find both secular and sacred support, both written and traditional, for their positions and for the rebuttal of opposition. Both sides can muster both passioniate conviction and diligently crafted logical validation. Both sides perceive the matter to be an issue of victory or defeat.

There is considerable common ground and interest among the parties, apart from the current contentiousness, but the issue seems quite resistant to accomodation and compromise. Why might this be, and what does it really mean?

(note: Poll edited to correct bone-headed error on my part ... sorry for the confusion ... all my fault ... I really gotta learn to use "Preview" more)