Content provided in partnership with

Methodists protest church policy on gays

Christian Century, August 2, 2000

United Methodist churches in the western U.S. have approved a statement calling for the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church, echoing a declaration by churches in New England that protested the church's decisions to ban same-sex unions and gay ordination.

Meeting in Casper, Wyoming, July 12-15, delegates from United Methodist churches in 12 western states vowed to work for the "full participation at all levels in the life of the church and society" for gays and lesbians. The 8.4-million-member church met in Cleveland in May for its quadrennial General Conference meeting, where prohibitions against same-sex unions and gay ordination were upheld. A statement calling the practice of homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching" was also reaffirmed.

Most Popular Articles in Reference: The importance of understanding organizational culture; Credit card attitudes and behaviors of college students; What factors attract foreign direct investment?; Libraries Need Relationship Marketing - mutual interest marketing concept, ...; How to set performance goals: employee reviews are more than annual critiques; More »

Following the Cleveland meeting, churches in New England issued a statement saying they would not support the decisions made there. The western states' statement largely echoes that declaration. "The votes may have been cast, but our voices will not be silent," the declaration said. While voicing dissent with church policy, it did not say the churches would openly violate church laws.

Western United Methodist churches have been leading the fight for greater inclusion of gays and lesbians. In January 1999, 68 ministers participated in a same-sex union service for two lesbians. A church committee declined to press charges, and San Francisco Bishop Melvin Talbert said state church conferences could go against church law.

Supporters of the pro-gay stand said decisions made at General Conference do not necessarily represent the views of everyone in the church. "For me, the hope is to let folks in the church and who are no longer in the church know that just because the General Conference makes these kinds of decisions, the quest for justice is not over," said Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, a Los Angeles pastor. --RNS

Methodists protest church policy on gays

Christian Century, August 2, 2000

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Reference

Most Popular Publications in Reference