Press Release: Methodists Block Gay People But Vote Against Homophobia

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK
3801 N. Keeler Avenue Chicago, IL 60641      
www.generalconference2008.org     www.rmnetwork.org

Press Release:  April 30, 2008

Contact Persons:

Ann Craig, Media Coordinator
craig@glaad.org, 213-703-1365, cell

Rev. Troy Plummer, Executive Director,
troy@rmnetwork.org, 773-315-9225, cell

Monica Swink, Board Chair,
monicaswink@cox.net, 405-473-3942, cell

METHODISTS  BLOCK GAY PEOPLE BUT VOTE AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

Voices singing “Jesus loves us, this I know, for the Bible tells us so!” rang out over the drone of church proceedings.  Singers responded to the vote that, in effect, gave United Methodist pastors the right to block membership of openly gay and lesbian people.

Controversy and contradiction was the order of the eighth day of the United Methodist General Conference held once every four years to establish policy for the global denomination—this time held in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more than thirty years, gay people and allies have worked to eliminate the statement, that gay people are “incompatible with Christian teaching.” Few people expected the church to support legislation that placed membership totally in the hands of local pastors, but by only a 2% margin, the session voted against asking pastors “…to faithfully receive all adults willing to affirm our vows of membership.”

For the first time, membership of gay people was effectively blocked in light of the denomination out of the church’s high court decision in 2005 that gave a Virginia pastor the right to deny membership to an openly gay man. 

Earlier in the day, Fred Brewington, chair of the church and society committee said from the podium, “If you vote for the minority report, you will be voting for contradiction,”

By a close vote, delegates approved the minority report that endorsed human and civil rights for gay people, but gay people were still labeled, “incompatible with Christian teaching.” To add to the contradiction, the resolution included an amendment saying, “We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.”

In another action, the group voted down all anti-transgender legislation and voted to oppose “all forms of violence or discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual practice or sexual orientation” and to produce educational materials on homophobia.

African delegates dominated early parts of the debate with allusions to the harm and division that would be created if gay people were accepted as full members. African delegates were one of the targets of an apparent free cell phone for support of conservative high court members.  The scandal prompted the establishment of an ethics committee that will not begin functioning until the next general conference in 2012. 

“The church is standing in the way of God’s grace,” Monica Swink said. “The United Methodist slogan of opens minds, hearts and doors continues to be the salt in the wounds of gay Christians who refuse to leave the church and the faith they love. For thirty-six years the church has ignored the unconditional love of God by rejecting our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.” Swink is president of the Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization of United Methodists in support of equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the church.

Comments

[Rev. C. G. Walden]

A new dimension has been added to exclusive actions of the majority. By rejecting both the majority opinion and the addition of the language about "faithful people" disagreeing to the minority report (which affirms the faithfullness of those on both sides of the issue) the conference majority has essentially said that the minority is not faithful. It is amazing that 501 people could so vote in the presence of 417 who voted otherwise, to take action that can only be interpreted as saying we do not believe you are faithful Christians.

[gavin]

that said too. yall have done a great job of blogging general conference (blog, photo, video, etc) very nice work

[gavin]

as one who was praying for the happenings yesterday i am hurt as well. that said, i think your title, may reflect your hurt, but it does little to be helpful in reconciliation.

[Stephen Elliott]

HEY UMC---"Outside"

And you
you bring me to my knees
Again
All the times
That I could beg you please
In vain
All the times
That I felt insecure
For you
and I leave
My burdens at the door

But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you

All the times
That I felt like this won't end
It's for you
And I taste
What I could never have
It was from you
All the times
That I've tried
My intentions
Full of pride
But I waste
More time than anyone

But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you

All the times
That I've cried
All this wasted
It's all inside
And I feel
All this pain
Stuffed it down
It's back again
And I lie
Here in bed
All alone
I can't mend
But I feel
Tomorrow will be OK

But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
JESUS WELCOMED EVERYONE WHO WANTED TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS FROM KINGS TO THE UNTOUCHABLE AND INCURABLE ONES. HOW CAN THE UMC DO ANY DIFFERENT AND SAY YOUR FAITH IS IN ONE WHOM YOU CONTRADICT? strayelliott@gmail.com