United Methodists voted yesterday to uphold the denomination's anti-gay position that deems homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching," despite protests from activists, Religion News Service reports:
Two “agree to disagree” proposals were soundly defeated during separate votes by the nearly 1,000 delegates gathered for the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Tampa, Fla. One proposal would have replaced the “incompatible” phrase in the Book of Discipline, which contains the denomination’s laws and doctrines. Both proposals sought to soften the disputed doctrine by adding more ambiguous statements about homosexuality...The proposals defeated on Thursday would have acknowledged that diversity, but, some conservatives argued, at the cost of muddying traditional doctrines."
Today, Methodist delegates are scheduled to debate the church's bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy.
It took the Presbyterians some time, but it did happen in 2010. It will happen to the Methodist church, too.
The loss of people attending their church services will eventually make them see the light.
Posted by: FunMe | May 5, 2012 3:41:06 AM
LOSERS
Posted by: Gay Gnostic | May 5, 2012 3:46:46 AM
There is an organization within the Methodist Church that is trying to change the UMC's policies and attitudes towards the LGBT community. It's called Methodists In New Directions (MIND), and their position is that the Church "should not be mimicking the prejudices of the society around it". http://www.mindny.org/
Posted by: Nathan James | May 5, 2012 6:13:13 AM
I sat in jail for Jesus 12 years ago in Cleveland. The articles about this week's activity could have been written then. ABSOLUTELY nothing has changed in the UMC in 12 years. In fact, nothing has changed since 1992, when the General Conference ignored the results of their own blue-ribbon panel. I was reared in the UMC, I spent my first 42 years giving my time, talent, and treasures to the UMC. The UMC can kiss my big gay ass.
Posted by: Greg | May 5, 2012 9:04:05 AM
Many mainline Protestant churches are seeing almost all their growth in the uber conservative 3rd world and among recent immigrants to western 1st world countries from the 3rd world. This is true of the R.C. Church also. But the real phenomena is the exploding popularity of extremist evangelical Protestant pentecostal sects in the 3rd world and among 3rd world immigrants. Where I live, it's amazing to see the number of Haitians who were nominally Catholic attending pentecostal churches. And it isn't all 3rd world people; It's even gaining popularity among Asians from places like Korea, and I believe pentecostal/evangelical Protestant sects are the most rapidly expanding among Americans and other westerners.
Posted by: ratbastard | May 5, 2012 9:26:07 AM
The R.C. Church is still holding it's own, but mainline 'liberal' Protestant denominations have been in steep decline for decades.
Posted by: ratbastard | May 5, 2012 9:28:21 AM
Yes, the Methodist Church is anti-gay. If you continue to support that church or attend that church, that's what you are supporting. If you want to go to church, then find an affirming denomination. There are quite a few of them. Why people want to go where they aren't wanted is beyond me.
Posted by: Houndentenor | May 5, 2012 9:30:15 AM
Meh.
Posted by: Gene Touchet | May 5, 2012 9:35:32 AM
To Chad.
I admire your energy. Your hope. Perhaps the UMC should split. I know that many, many UMC's do not agree with this policy. I know it hurts many people, and I am glad you are out there fighting. I wish the Church, as a whole will change, but I don't know that it will. The Church has split before over slavery. Maybe it's just time for the progressive wing of the church to leave and just be the Methodist Church. Until then keep up your good work.
Posted by: Daniel | May 5, 2012 9:49:53 AM
The handwriting is clearly on the wall for LGBT Methodists. This church will not become more inclusive, rather it is becoming more homophobic. They have a bleak future in their own denomination. Progressive Methodists are going to have to decide whether they want to be associated with such regressive policies. If their national church will allow local option on issues like ordination, holy unions, inclusion of LGBT people, then they may be able to continue as members and just screen out the national church's bigotry. But if the dominant conservatives start pushing the envelope toward doctrinal uniformity, I see no reason why LGBT people should remain in a church that demeans them and considers them 3rd Class members. I was a Southern Baptist in my youth, but I soon got over that as I wised up and now have found a home in the Episcopal Church, and I thank God every day that I found this great church. Here I am fully included, my spiritual gifts are embraced, and I can participate fully and openly in the life of the church. The Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and Presbyterian churches are miles ahead of the Methodists on these issues. Start looking, people, the Methodist Church does not want you.
Posted by: Brian | May 6, 2012 1:22:53 AM
Methodist churches very widely in how they deal with gays. But when you donate to a Methodist church, some of your money supports the anti-gay headquarters. So I switched to a church that would proudly hold my wedding and teach pro-gay lessons in Sunday School and at the pulpit.
Posted by: Hephaestion | May 6, 2012 3:52:18 PM
I was at General Conference as part of a coalition hoping to make the United Methodist Church more friendly to LGBT people. I wrote an explanation about this defeat and that post has links to my personal experiences at GC.
http://gaycrowsnest.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-it-happened.html
Posted by: Paul | May 7, 2012 5:13:52 PM