Methodist court rules on homosexuality | Seattle P-I

Methodist court rules on homosexuality

By JOE MANDAK
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

PITTSBURGH -- United Methodist law clearly teaches that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, the highest court in the denomination ruled Saturday.

The Judicial Council, which met during the denomination's General Conference, said violating that church law could be cause for removal from church office.

A delegate from Arkansas had asked for the council to rule after a lesbian minister was found innocent at a church trial in March.

The Rev. Karen Dammann of Washington state told her bishop that she was in a committed relationship with a woman and was subsequently charged with practices declared "incompatible with Christian teaching" under Methodist law.

More at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Our Davis California congregation is reconciling, meaning they we welcome gays and lesbians, all people, as equal in God's eyes. Our community is strengthened by the many gifts of our members. We face a struggle as our Methodist Book of discipline does not reflect our beliefs and had great hope that discussion about amendment could begin at the General Conference in Pittsburg. It appears that Methodists may need to look deeply at how we can not have this split break our Church but some of us cannot go back to exclusion and call our selves Christians. These are soul searching times.

Sad really. Methodism was very socially activist at one time.

Leave and the church loses your voice of tolerance, imho.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

teaching? Selective prosecution, if you ask me.

not that that somehow excuses this decision.

Check out Unitarian-Universalism. I did, and I have never regretted it.

www.tcpc.org

Has a church locator also...

John Wesley would disavow him.

because Pickles was raised Methodist whereas he was raised Episcopalian. I think * is an "evangelical-born-again" fundie.

Interesting that Frontline said they rarely attend services, and there is no mention of them having any kind of semi-public devotionals/services at the WH on Sundays. IIRC, Pres. Carter had weekly church services at the WH, or had devotionals, etc there. My bet is that Picles wakes up on Sundays, gets a newspaper, coffee, and some cigs while Bush either sleeps it off or hangs out over the porcelein altar for the first couple of hours.

as a matter of fact Jesus did say that liars and murderers shall not enter Heaven.

;)

...how do I file a complaint with the United Methodist Judicial Council on the eating of creatures without fins or scales, and those
who wear clothes made of two different materials. ;D

go after the their member - alleged the Commander in Chief - for his massive crimes against humanity? Where are their priorities?

During the debate on homosexuality, one brave soul took the podium and asked if anyone in the room had committed adultrk- which is also a big no no. I was seated in the section behind the ministers. What a sight. The backs of almost all of their pious necks turned beet red. It was like watching a string of Christmas lights get plugged. I decided that day that these people were in no position to judge my moral worth. Becides, I doubt if even one person in that whole convention was living in accord with all of the rules in Deuteronomy of which the taboo on same sex relations is mentioned.

I am a Lutheran; not a methodist. The entire reformation was about our being justified by grace (e.g. there is nothing that we can do to earn forgiveness; all that matters is 'does GOD love us'; not do we love god or obey some esoteric rules).

This is the problem I have with Freeper religion; they always want you to obey some rules. the 10 commandments don't matter any more.

what does matter?
1) love your god with all your heart and mind and soul
2) love your neighbor as yourself

My rule:
3) asking who your neighbor is begs the question.

I have been fortunate to have been in many church's of many faiths, from the East Coast to the West Coast and no matter, Methodist, Catholic, Bapist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, the followings of the individual church leaders vary from church to church, dependent upon the individual priest, minister, etc., and the varied congregations. Individuals tend to select a church, temple, and minister, priest, rabbi that tends to reflect their beliefs or ideals of that particular faith. Cardinals and Bishops of the Catholic church say that John Kerry and any other politician that does not obey the orders from the Vatican will not receive communion, yet John Kerry attends a Catholic Church that openly gives him Communion. I attend a Methodist church that accepts anyone into the fold gay and lesbian, black, etc., and openly voice the church belongs to all that come to worship. My adult children attend a Catholic church that is very open to all and does not reject anyone for communion. Both of these church's are known as being more open to all and do no necessarily follow all the commands/orders of their superiors. The Western church's seem to be more relaxed and laid back than the Eastern ones.

sound interesting?

By Various Contributors

SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 -- In a rare Saturday session, the Castro District Gay Community Court ruled today that the practice of Methodism is inconsistent with Jesus' message of love and compassion, and is advising the GLBT community to act accordingly with their financial and moral support.

Furthermore, an investigation is being conducted to see if United Methodist law is incompatible with IRS rulings regarding tax-exempt religious organizations and their activities in secular and political realms.

In its ruling, the court stated, "The problem with Methodism seems to be one of too much religion and not enough Christianity. We strongly urge all congregants to reexamine their relationship with such an organization."