After a lengthy debate, United Methodists voted Wednesday to reject changes to its constitution that would have liberalized the church's stance on homosexuality.
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(Photo: UMNS / Paul Jeffrey)Helen Andrew (left), of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., and Nancie Hughes, of Berkeley, Calif., stand to protest legislation related to homosexuality during the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. The assembly voted April 30 to retain the church's position that the practice of homosexuality is 'incompatible with Christian teaching.'
Delegates to the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's highest governing body, voted against a proposed "majority report" which would have acknowledged that members of the United Methodist Church "deeply disagree with one another" on the issue of homosexuality.
Such an acknowledgment would have been a "mature way forward" and "an honest, yet humble approach to how we are to view one another," said Frederick Brewington, a layman in the New York Annual (regional) Conference, according to the United Methodist News Service.
"We can make the determination to move forward, and stop the hurt," he told delegates during a long and emotional debate, urging change to the church's policy to end more than 35 years of struggle over the issue.
The petition for changes would have also deleted the current statement in UMC's Book of Discipline that describes homosexual practice as "incompatible with Christian teaching" and bans noncelibate gay pastors.
However, the Rev. Eddie Fox argued that any United Methodist statement on human sexuality needs to be "clear, concise and faithful to biblical teaching."
And deleting the incompatibility statement would be confusing, Fox said as he presented a "minority report" that would retain the language.
"I have seen and experienced the pain and the brokenness in parts of our global movement whenever our church has failed to hold fast to this essential teaching of the Holy Scripture," he added.
Delegates voted 501-417 to adopt the minority report which also includes wording that "all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God," and that United Methodists are to be "welcoming, forgiving and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us."
They also approved a new resolution opposing homophobia and heterosexism. In a separate resolution, the General Conference asked the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the church's social advocacy agency, to develop educational resources and materials on the effects of homophobia and heterosexism, the discrimination or prejudice against lesbians or gay men by heterosexual people.
Many shared emotional stories about violence used against homosexual people during a heated debate before the vote.
But in the midst of the painful debate, the Rev. Steve Wende of the Texas Conference cautioned, "If we do this (change language in the Book of Discipline) as a way of making some people happy, it won't make anyone happy."
In other decisions on sexuality issues, delegates voted to maintain the church's policy that prohibits United Methodist ministers from conducting ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions and rejected language that would include "committed unions" in a section describing the sanctity of the marriage covenant.
The United Methodist General Conference, a 10-day legislative meeting that takes place every four years, concludes May 2.
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As painful as all this is. The Word of God is still the focus and the solution. The Methodists have done well to try and preserve the Word of God in their practices of faith. It is not the rejection of any person, but rather a behavior. ML stated is right by just noting the verses from the Bible. There was a day when morality was taught in every arena in this great land, now it is made sport of by many in high places. To be found in Christ is to forsake all that His Word says is evil. There's another list that ends with disobedient to parents. We are all the same. We must come to Jesus willing to forsake all for the one who did the same for us. God bless you all!
Rev Bill: It seems pretty funny to me that when some Christians are saying that slavery is a sin and that certain parts of the OT should be ignored, their tunes change pretty quickly when talking about homosexuality. Looks like hypocrisy to me.
Crunch: Regarding your chastising of John14_6, have you ever heard of the word irony before? Your response was the textbook definition.
** Okay I just noticed that on the right-hand side of this post area, there are 3 Goggle advertsements for "GAY SINGLE MEN".....what is up with that?!?! Isn't his supposed to be the Christian Post...!
I'm really thankful that the Medthodists are staying with the athourity of God's word. People can and probably will, disagree on this homosexual thing (and others) till the Lord himself comes!
It's good to have opinions on issues, but you always have to go back to God's Word to make sure it lines-up with what He says. The bottom line is, it's not mankinds preference/ opinion that matters, it's God's....He has the final word, and He's stated it. It doesn't make one bit of difference if we don't like it....that's the way it is.
Honestly....I think we've all tried to justify or minimize a sinful behaviour because it's comfortable, it's what our flesh wants. You can probably take any sin and try to justify it.... but that sure doesn't make it ok with God....darn.(smile!)
Dongard... I haven't seen the posts, but a post can be deleted depending on what that post says. This is America and also the "Christian" Post and as such, try to adhear to a different code of conduct and verbage. Again... haven't seen it, but they have the right to do as they please.
i agree with mugglegorn
unless the post clearly presents a clear and present danger, it should not be flagged. better to let the bigots stand naked. this is democracy folks and it works both ways. a point that is sometimes lost by those that are full of themselves.
obviously i have been blacklisted from cp, or i have been blacklisted from discussing my position challenging that homosexuality is a sin on cp
boomershank is reading the Bible correctly. 1 Corinthians 6:9 makes it clear, "..., the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." This is quite a list. It seems all of these show areas where people need to be sanctified. We are not to sin so that grace may abound. We are to live in holiness, and not in sin. God have mercy on us all. We all need to live according to God's commands. And His commands are not a burden. Instead, God's rules are to free us up to real life, and life that pleases him and brings the greatest amount of joy, for it honors our Creator.
OK, this is really starting to bug me. I didn't agree with what feetxxxl said, but whoever flagged him; don't you think it would have been much more constructive to post a compassionate response/rebuke???
I'm at work right now, and was planning on responding to this later this evening, and now I'm not sure it will be correct ... I don't have photographic recall! I don't even have time right now for this, but this really just pushes my buttons.
feetxxxl, could you repost, please? Yeah, it is just so I can disagree with you, but I'll try to be as caring as I can.
One person said Jesus did not mention homosexuality, but the Apostle Paul receive his revelations or teachings from Jesus and there is much said about homosexuality in Romans chapt. 1 and 1 Cor. chapt 6 to the fact that homosexuals will not be admitted into the kingdom. It a shame and disgrace to the Church of God that people would even uphold homosexualism and even spend so much time considering this, just for the fact of political correct ideas. This has no place in the church that should be striving for holiness and preparing herself to be the Bride of Christ. Repent all liberal mehodists and episcopalians for the time is drawing nigh for Christ's return and the rapture of the church, don't be left behind for terrible times are to come upon this earth for those that do not obey the word of God. Amen
Christ did not need to speak of homosexuality as God gave His law on it in Leviticus 18:22. Homosexuals I'm sure, are permitted to attend the church as is anyone, but the "marriage" of homosexuals is what I believe was the subject which was discussed and voted on. When Christ met the woman at the well in Samaria, He convicted her of her sins by laying open what was known by all who knew her. When those churches appove of allowing those things which are pronounced as sins to be committed in the churches just to be politically corrected God will make His judgment on them.
s247jc -- Christian women may preach or prophetize (1 Cor 11:5). But they may not be elders (1 Cor 14:34; 1 Tim 2:9-15) who evaluate preaching (1 Cor 14:29). Why not? Because Adam was created first, and because Eve sinned first (1Tim 2:13, 14).
Its funny and yet sad how the issue of homosexuality was never mentioned by Jesus, and yet today it is all "Christians" can think about. Just a few short years ago churchs focused their full attention on the evils of divorce and the breaking up of families. Yet today the divorce rate percentage is higher among our Christian brothers and sisters than it is in the general population. Yet our churches who claim they are following tradition and the Bible are allowing adulterers to freely worship in our churches. This is in defiance of Jesus command to the woman at the well, when he said " woman where is your husband?" He told her to go back to her first husband. Why is Jesus words being ignored and overlooked by our brothers and sisters who are living in sin in new marriages? Why has homosexuality become so important? Shouldn't we be focusing on keeping our families together no matter what as Jesus our Savior said we should do?
For all these people in the UMC that are wanting to embrace homosexualism I suggest they go over to the Episcopal church, then you all can have a gay old time.
This decision shows the power of The United Methodist Church's Connectional System. I proclaim that many mega church members, as The United Methodist Church is a mega church of over 11.6 million members, do not know their churches positions of serious and devisive social and justice issues of our times. The United Methodist Church is not in fear of man in that it lets man witness ts discussions and current issues.
By the way John 14-6, have you not read in Scripture how God used Female Prophets in the Old Testament and Paul and Peter placed women in leadership positions within the New Testament Church. God's Word is the Final Authority. If women in authority over the Spiritual heart of Israel and God's Church was good enough for God, it is good enough for me.
Heaven forbid! I pray that the United Methodists in America will not renege on their decision on homosexual relationships. So many churches and Christians today are giving in to the demands of the gay culture and allowing this abomination to get into their churches. The rest of us must continue to pray unceasingly for strength and wisdom to deal with the gay agenda and to resist the wiles of the devil at every turn!
It seems to me that it is becoming more clear everyday, where the line will be drawn. There will be those who hold fast and strongly to the teachings of Christ(true believers), and those who are more concerned with being politically correct and oppose scripture. I guess it would be the difference between the fear (reverance) of God..... or the fear of man.
BTW Chicago24* -Christians "spend so much time"as you say, because it's an important issue to us. You apparently don't understand the full scope of what the repercussions are of what these groups decide, when it comes to issues that go against scripture. Your suggestion of doing what the CS group does, of putting our heads in the sand and pretend like nothings happening, is lame. It is of concern, because it is the fundamental chipping away at the basis of Christianity, and the disregard for the ultimate authority of God's never changing Word.
BTW* john 14-6- Nice try with the ......"They already allow women pastors, so they have long been in violation of Biblical doctrine as it is" statement. This may be a news flash for ya but, God will call, whomever he see's fit to call, regardless of gender. I KNOW what you are referring to, but you need to read scripture in it's proper context, my friend!
I agree with John 14-6. It really is just a matter of time for the church(being the ones who call themselves Christians) to start bending the rules of the bible and altering the meanings and jepordizing their faith.
I appreciate the views of the Christian Science church's on homosexuality. It's not addressed at all, one way or the other.
After all, it's such a hugely divisive issue, yet affects a small percentage of the population. I don't know why so many right-wing Christians spend so much of their time and energy on this matter. I'd hate to think what it must be like to live in their heads 24/7.
It doesn't matter, as there is widespread support for the behavior within various churches and districts, and I doubt that they will suddenly change their position or stance on the matter simply because the denomination's governing body rejected any change to the policy.
It's already policy, and what goes on in UMC churches doesn't seem to have been affected by the current policy anyway. Now that they have a liberal judicial board, it's only a matter of time until they openly approve of homosexual relationships and let them be married in their churches. It's just a question of time. They already allow women pastors, so they have long been in violation of Biblical doctrine as it is.
Flee the UMC. That should be the rallying cry.