Methodist Court Rules Against Gay Marriage

Mark...at what point do you say enough is enough? I heard this argument growing up in the catholic church. The people of your congregation love you, but they still support a man made institution that rejects me at a very fundamental level. It also became very apparent that when you scratched the veneer of that "love", what I found was lots of smiles to my face but not a whole lot of respect or acceptance of the gay community. Has your congregation affirmed the right of same sex couples to marry? Would your pastor perform a union for a same sex couple despite the churches admonishments? Spirituality is a wonderful thing but it is being morphed into institutionalized discrimination by this and many christian denominations. As a community we cannot sit in these churches gleeful for every crumb they throw our way. I left the church years ago and it was a wonderful life affirming decision.

I came to the Christian faith after a lifetime of keeping out of it, simply based on conservative, un-evolved ideas. At the time of my salvation, the message was clear. God said very plainly, "I am telling you: I love you." There is a reason why there are so many denominations of the faith; some people "got it", some will take more time. But leaving the church, or keeping out of it, will create NO CHANGE. It will only strengthen the misguided faith of those inside, proving to themselves that what they view about GLBT people is "true". There needs to be a resurgence of the gay community within the faith community like never before so that those who do not know can learn. Staying silent, or bitter, or away will do nothing. For those who are content to roll their eyes and shake their heads at "those silly Christians", well... its okay. I do the same, to you. But don't worry. God doesn't set a timetable for revelation.

According to the First Amendment, the Methodist Church has every right to conduct its affairs and officiate its policy however it sees fit. What's important to remember here is that marriage is first and foremost a legal, civic institution. Every marriage requires an official license from the state. Any religious ceremonies are devoid of legality. I totally agree with Jeffrey from Albany. I don't really care about official church policy as long as I have the legal right to marry.

Jason - as a long-time Methodist, I am deeply disappointed in this decision. And I do NOT like that my denomination has institutionalized discrimination against GLBT people. I've stayed in the church because the rules and decisions made at the uppermost levels of the church do not represent the feelings of the entire denomination. My own congregation is very progressive, and I have NEVER felt unwelcome in my own church - despite the fact that I am completely out to the staff and members there. I struggle constantly with whether I should leave to find a more accepting denomination, but for now I am still hopeful that I can help my denomination move in the right direction. Having you attack me as a "Christian apologist" doesn't help - I ask you to put your energy and your words into something more productive than attacking members of your own community.

The majority of Christians ARE wolves in sheep's clothing.

Jason, gays do belong among christians, just not these wolves in christain clothing.

Typical Christian attitude! Yet, unfortunately, some gay people still want to claim they are Christians. I mean...how clear can a denomination be that gay people do not belong among a group of Christians? This common belief among Christians toward their gay brethren was demonstrated in California, the Vatican, even some Protestant denominations such as Pentecost, Missouri Synod and Assembly of God. MOST Christians simply do not like gay people, it is as simple as that! Get that through your thick skulls, please! You are only prolonging opportunities for social equality by being a Christian apologist - which is what a gay Christian is. I pity a gay person who still wants to afiliate with some kind of church. While UCC, and MCC and some Episcopal churches accept gay people to worship in their church, clearly these examples do not speak for the majority of Christians who would prefer to have as few gay people as possible in the world.

And these "main" stream denominations wonder why more and more people list their church of choice as "Non-denominational"

Christianity is on the skids anyway so who really cares what the Methodists or Baptists or any of them say? An increasing number of people are seeing how absurd religious beliefs are and are discovering the benefits of reason, rational thought, and a belief system based on evidence.

Organized religious institutions have always been a place for closeted gay and lesbian bigots to hide-out behind god and the bible. Leave the churches! Organize a homosexual 'church' where we prove that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transexuals can agree on everything. When that doesn't work we can have four or five separate branches of thinking, and start all the crazy business all over. Why should all the supposed straight churches have all the fun telling everybody what is right or wrong.