United Methodists edge toward breakup over LGBT policies
Associated Press,
by
David Crary
Original Article
Posted By: MissMolly,
4/21/2019 5:25:13 AM
NEW YORK – There´s at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America´s largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors. The differences have simmered for years, and came to a head in February at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which strengthens bans on LGBT-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBT-friendly options, but they were outvoted
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Strike3 4/21/2019 8:02:15 AM (No. 40589)
Let a few squirrels into the bird feeder and they inevitably try to take it over.
18 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
F15 Gork 4/21/2019 9:00:44 AM (No. 40585)
God bless the African delegation - they have repeatedly saved our bacon from totally going down the LGBTQXYZ crapper.
19 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Daisymay 4/21/2019 9:18:25 AM (No. 40581)
I am a Lutheran. They are going through their own problems over this subject. I´m almost 78, so I have old fashioned views. I believe it comes down to one thing. Either you believe what is written in the Bible, or you don´t. You can´t pick and choose. The Bible is clear on Homosexuality. There is no gray area. We now see Gays in commercials on TV and on many TV shows. Even General Hospital (on for 50 years) has a Gay couple who kiss on the show. The Gay community is trying to make sure their lifestyle is considered normal. To me it´s not. But, I´m afraid my grandchildren think nothing of it. And so it goes!
40 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Texas Tillie 4/21/2019 9:23:22 AM (No. 40598)
#5, and what does the Bible say about slavery? I´m sure you are not is favor of everything the Bible says you should or shouldn´t do. Even if you go with only the New Testament, just Jesus or should we also listen to Paul? It´s much more nuanced than just yes or no.
7 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Yuban 4/21/2019 9:33:35 AM (No. 40594)
Nice try 6. I suppose you say the same thing about our Constitution. I take it you must have someone close to you that is gay. God loves the gay but hates the sin. It really is that simple. Happy Easter.
35 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
StormCnter 4/21/2019 9:37:34 AM (No. 40580)
I´m with #4. Our Bible is a living document. What I try to remember is that it came about through many lives and many ages and many times while God was gathering it from its various authors.
5 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
StormCnter 4/21/2019 9:38:14 AM (No. 40593)
...and with #6.
5 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Nevadadad46 4/21/2019 9:43:22 AM (No. 40597)
#5, I am 73, and have studied quite extensively. You are spot on correct in my opinion. I am called a "Calvinist" because I go no further now than the words of Jesus Christ. I came to the conclusion some time ago he said all that was meant to be said before Ressurection. There is just no way I can believe he would have gone through all that and then later say, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell ya...."
Going through his teachings, I can see no flaws or mystery or lines that I would need a legal specialist to unsort for me. Christ spoke in plan language for the commoner to understand and yet, some folks still claim they need highly trained and nuanced Priests and Popes to interpret all that; "Yeah, well, see, what Jesus really was saying here is..." and then comes the big lines of BS. I do not know how many times I have flummoxed some of the best of them by simply saying, "But, Pastor- that is not what Jesus said at all. You are just making that up, aren´t you?"
Well, we can dance around this ball room all night and come morning, the Great Judge will tell us what the music was really all about.
Happy Easter.
24 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 4/21/2019 9:56:19 AM (No. 40599)
There is agreement among most of the above. I have come to realize it is one thing to believe IN God. It is quite another to actually BELIEVE God.
15 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
anniebc 4/21/2019 10:01:03 AM (No. 40596)
I agree with posters #5 and #10. The Bible does not advance slavery. In fact, there are instructions on how to treat slaves, not because God thinks it´s a good thing, but because it was a fact of life. Evil people made slaves of other people. You can disagree with facts in the Bible, but the purpose of the Bible is not to expose the crimes of that time (in God´s eye, sin makes us all guilty), but to point us to the Savior, tell us who God is, and reveal His divine purpose.
22 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
DVC 4/21/2019 10:15:59 AM (No. 40587)
Likely will be a good thing. Maybe I can go back to a Methodist church.
All those decades of missionary work are coming back and paying huge dividends today, as those new Christians are actually better Christians than some of the folks here.
28 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
Texas Tillie 4/21/2019 11:00:08 AM (No. 40595)
#13, so you can judge who is and who isn´t a "good Christian"?? I don´t have that power, I´ll leave that to The Almighty.
4 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Nevadadad46 4/21/2019 11:13:31 AM (No. 40582)
It´s easy to determine who is a good Christian and who isn´t. for example, those who advocate the murder of unborn babies - not a good Christian. What about those who call themselves Christian and yet do things Christ himself spoke against. Good Christians or bad? See? It´s easy. We can hate the sin and yet love the sinner and do what we can to bring them away from their hypocrisy and self-destruction. What is wrong with trying to guide them toward the righteouness? None of us are perfect. But, some of us seem to be able to see the path He paved for us a little better than others. Christ is the way. Pretty simple, really.
Happy Easter.
28 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
columba 4/21/2019 11:28:18 AM (No. 40588)
Satan likes division.
7 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
padiva 4/21/2019 11:31:02 AM (No. 40584)
My evangelical church has lots of former Methodists as members.
It is my responsibility to show Christian kindness to gays.
5 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
velirotta 4/21/2019 1:17:56 PM (No. 40579)
Another one bites the dust.
2 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
Harlowe 4/21/2019 2:04:41 PM (No. 40592)
#6- Bible/Slavery – Slavery during the Old Testament was quite different than slavery as thought of today; however, the Bible does not say God supports slavery. During Old Testament times, there were rules to protect slaves; injuring or killing slaves was punishable by death. The Hebrews adhered to rules about the fair treatment of slaves. During New Testament times, many Christians were slaves to Romans and the rules established for slaves were similar to other Christians with regard to governing authorities. God is master of all humanity and does not show partiality based on position or social status.
Favor/Bible Directives – Scripture is the inerrant Word of God; the first texts of Scripture came from the Lord speaking to Moses who wrote them down—the Lord speaks through the Words of the Bible in two ways, Law and Gospel.
Jesus/Paul – Again, Scripture is the inerrant Word of God; what Paul wrote was inspired by the Holy Spirit (God the Father, God the Son [Jesus], God the Holy Spirit). {2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21}
Nuance – No, not nuanced; crystal clear. Scripture interprets Scripture.
6 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
saguni 4/21/2019 2:41:34 PM (No. 40586)
I agree with Poster #5, religion is not like a Chinese Menu, you can´t take one from column A and two from column B.
A long time ago, Dennis Prager had a local show where he brought together leaders from different religions and discussed ethical problems, when I heard him make the above menu quote, I´ve never forgotten it.
6 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
NYbob 4/21/2019 9:07:20 PM (No. 40590)
For the gay advocates. You seem to insist on a biological impossibility which is the current pretend thinking that there can be two husbands or two wives in a marriage or that someone of one sex can pretend to be the opposite and that everyone on Earth should participate in this delusion.
Insisting on clear definitions and purposes of marriage has nothing to do with ´justice´ or hate or love. It is a practical matter of protecting and nurturing children, or at least it was for centuries until the age of insanity. In the USA right now, LGBT individuals have more ´rights´ and protections than ever in any time or place of history. They are free to do almost anything they want, but instead of enjoying this freedom and being happy in any domestic arrangement they like, some insist on twisting definitions and roles to the point of absurdity. Be what you are, enjoy it, be proud of it, but you only exist because a man and a woman had a child. Be generous enough to allow society that basic, vital, natural, union. Then be responsible enough as a member of society to encourage society by tradition and law to help that man and woman do the best job possible raising that child. That would be so much more helpful than forcing your way into institutions that are the way they are for a reason. You might force society to pretend along with you, but really it is a sham, purely political.
2 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
msjena 4/21/2019 9:24:57 PM (No. 40583)
The Bible doesn’t advocate slavery.Slavery was a fact of life in New Testament times. Paul said there was no difference between slave and free, male and female, Greek or Jew in Christianity. That was pretty radical for those times.
3 people like this.
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