Sex clause riles Crystal Cathedral founder

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., March 17 (UPI) -- Robert Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., says he opposes a covenant choir members must sign about sex.

The agreement states God intends sex to be between married heterosexuals, but Schuller said it violates the foundation of love on which he built the church, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"I have a reputation worldwide of being tolerant of all people and their views," Schuler said. "I'm too well-educated to criticize a certain religion or group of people for what they believe in. It's called freedom."

Schuller retired in 2006.

Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman said the agreement clarifies the expectations placed on choir members as ministry leaders.

"The church of Jesus Christ at large is grappling with the challenge of reconciling love and adherence to God's word, even those passages that challenge us," Coleman said. "As the church has been engaging in this sensitive dialogue, people that we care for deeply have been hurt. We are sincerely sorry."

The agreement includes the phrase that the "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."

The church filed for bankruptcy protection in October.