United Methodist Church entry under Anti-LGBT Watch

[Uncle Karl]

You over-reach when you state that the United Methodist Church (UMC) "condemns homosexual persons." You've evidently not read the Social Principles of the UMC, which declare that homosexual persons are of "sacred worth" and should not be discriminated against in terms of social and political rights. I look forward to an appropriate editing of the inflammatory statement.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Uncle Karl

You over-reach when you state that the United Methodist Church (UMC) "condemns homosexual persons." You've evidently not read the Social Principles of the UMC, which declare that homosexual persons are of "sacred worth" and should not be discriminated against in terms of social and political rights. I look forward to an appropriate editing of the inflammatory statement.

are you speaking to anyone in particular?

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by Uncle Karl

You over-reach when you state that the United Methodist Church (UMC) "condemns homosexual persons." You've evidently not read the Social Principles of the UMC, which declare that homosexual persons are of "sacred worth" and should not be discriminated against in terms of social and political rights. I look forward to an appropriate editing of the inflammatory statement.

Well, lets see how inflamitory that statement is. UMC says that homosexuality is incompatible with christianity. It recently allowed pastors to refuse membership to lesbians and gays, it refuses to ordain gays and lesbians, and this next year it will attempt to add transgenders to the exclusion list. Seems pretty much like condemnation to me. kara

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by Uncle Karl

You over-reach when you state that the United Methodist Church (UMC) "condemns homosexual persons." You've evidently not read the Social Principles of the UMC, which declare that homosexual persons are of "sacred worth" and should not be discriminated against in terms of social and political rights. I look forward to an appropriate editing of the inflammatory statement.

Actually, I have read the social principles. I have also witnessed the church making a mockery of them. "Sacred worth" is easy to say, but it is difficult for the UMC to live up to with their policies.

Now, as to you looking forward to an "appropriate editting of the inflammatory statement" - well, hmmm, let me see, how should I say this? Okay, let's try this - that sounds humorously bombastic and cocky. Who are you to request such a thing in absence of anything other than your opinion?

[antonyh]

I view sacred worth as a wholistic idea. My capacity to love, my sexuality, my relationship with God, my ability to serve God. All these are part of my sacred worth.

When the UMC tells LGBT people that they can't:

• Have a relationship
• Get ordained
• Get married

Well then you have a very, very impoverished idea of "sacred worth".

Is Soulforce over reaching...ahhh, no

[davidb]

The Social Principles of the UMC are all well in good, but the actions of the leadership of the UMC have made it very clear that they regard their GLBT members as second-class citizens. What they practice to these members is discrimination. To be put in a position where you are told you cannot serve, cannot participate, cannot lead, unless you lie about who you are, is to commit spiritual violence and injustice against said members. Hence, the listing under the anti-LGBT watch.

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

The United Methodist Social Principles that were cited at the beginning of this discussion also calls for civil legislation to forbid civil marriage to people of the same gender. So much for supporting equality before the law.

The amendment to the Social Principles that calls for discrimination in civil marriage was passed in 2004 at the Pittsburgh General Conference--the amendment was developed by the neo-conservative Washington D.C. think tank, The Institute on Religion and Democracy. It was slipped through General Conference without any debate--most delegates were unaware what they were voting on as the petition was referred to only by number by the people at the podium.

The same Institute on Religion and Democracy is promoting adding discriminatory language against transgender persons.

Some Methodists like to point to the "sacred worth" language like it is some great gift to LGBT persons. But many United Methodists now recognize that the "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" slogan of the denomination is not real because LGBT people are excluded unless they submit to the anti-gay dogma of the church and declare themselves to be "repentent homosexuals"

Name one United Methodist leader in Nigeria (or in this country for that matter) who spoke out against the plan to pass legislation in that country to throw gay people in jail.

I am a United Methodist who dissents from the anti-LGBT policies of the church. As a gay man in a marriage to a man (legally in Canada), I am liable to have charges brought against me and to have my membership in the church removed by a church court.

Steven Webster

[Unique0503]

Amen!

This is exactly where I am and not part of UMC church. They knew what me and my partner are, ordained us, and now want us to sit down. Crazy! However, we plan to stand for ourselves and others. We have never done anything to hurt the church and if we had not been brought to the forefront by our leader who confirmed us, people would still be guessing. So why now, 7 years later? Because others see us has a threat, a disease to the congregation, an open door for others like us to serve in freedom and truth they have decided our lifestyle is not acceptable for church.

My response: What will separate me from the love of God, NOTHING!

[HarmlessEccentric]

I'm a member of the UMC, but right now, the UMC is anti-gay. "Sacred worth?" Those are two good words, and if UMC policies were compatible with them, then they wouldn't be anti-gay. But while I can't be ordained, can't be married (even if my pastor wants to marry me), and can be rejected from membership on the basis of my sexual orientation, the church is discriminating against me. While there are Methodist congregations that would turn me away, the church is discriminating against me. If they don't want to be seen as anti-gay, all that Methodist people need to do is participate in changing the church. I'm sure that Soulforce will edit its commentary accordingly quite quickly, once the UMC edits its anti-gay policies and practices.

[Zerbie]

So sorry.