2008 General Conference Legislation
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Legislative Outcome
From the 2008 General Conference MFSA Legislative Summary:
Efforts to move the UMC toward fuller inclusion of LGBT persons through revisions in the section on Human Sexuality in the Social Principles were defeated. In fact, the language that was adopted represents a move in a more exclusionary direction. This vote was particularly painful given the careful efforts of the Legislative Committee to craft language that speaks the truth about the divisions within the church and confesses that the Holy Spirit has not yet brought peace to our community of faith. While the minority report that was accepted affirmed that all persons are “individuals of sacred worth created in the image of God” and retained statements asking “families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends,” MFSA believes that the church took a step backward by accepting the minority report rather than the majority report.
In separate resolutions, no changes in the restrictions against the ordination of self‐avowed, practicing homosexuals or the restrictions against UMC clergy participating in the celebration of same gender covenant unions were made. A petition seeking to increase the civil rights of homosexual persons also was defeated. Additionally, in an adopted resolution that tests credulity, the General Board of Church and Society was asked to create educational materials on the effects of homophobia and heterosexism, the discrimination or prejudice against lesbians or gay men by heterosexual people. A UMC self‐study obviously will offer plenty of case material for the GBCS.The petition modifying article IV of the constitution to read “all persons” willing to recite the appropriate vows shall be accepted into membership in any local church in the connection was adopted by a 2/3 vote. It will now be sent to the annual conferences for ratification.
Several petitions submitted to General Conference called for rejection or exclusion of transgender persons in one way or another. All of these petitions were defeated.
GC delegates adopted revisions to the Book of Discipline statement on the family that change the descriptive wording from “fathers and mothers” to “loving parents” and “men and women” to “two parents.”
Full story:
MFSA
The 2004 Book of Discipline text with updates from 2008 General Conference:
¶ 4. Article IV. Inclusiveness of the Church
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¶ 161.A The Family
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¶ 161.C Marriage
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¶ 161.G Human Sexuality
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¶ 162.H Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation
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¶ 214. Eligibility
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¶ 304.3 Qualifications for Ordination
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¶ 341.6 Unauthorized Conduct and ¶ 2702. Chargeable Offenses
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¶ 612.19 and ¶806.9 Funding
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Resolution: Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism
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Resolution: 98. Education, The Gift of Hope
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Resolution: Grieving and Repenting from Acts of Hate and Violence
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Legislative Strategy
RMN Supported Petitions:
Increase Inclusiveness for LGBT people:
View Petitions
Equitable Worldwide Restructuring Proposal:
81382 Task Group on Structure (81382-CO-NonDis-!) | Frank Wulf Petitions
Robbins/Okayama Site
Broader Issues:
View Petitions
RMN Opposed Petitions:
Retain Anti-Inclusive Language:
View Petitions
Introduce Anti-Transgender Language:
View Petitions
Codify Judicial Council Decision 1032:
View Petitions
Strengthen and Expand Funding Ban:
View Petitions
Broader Issues:
81365 Make UMW Optional (81365-LC-¶256.5)
