I would like to know if we are or not too. I see the sodomite community coming out of their closets and bearing all. Are we to keep quiet in the christian forums in the future and NOT SPEAK OUT against this sin?????
ANYBODY??
We've debated the sin of homosexuality plenty of times around here without any moderator having a problem. I don't think the rule applies to discussing homosexuality as a sin. It applies to in depth talking about matters of sexuality.
Add the phrase for now.
I pastored in the UMC for 13 years.
This so-called debate has been a constant and persistent issue.
As soon as one General Conference settles the issue the wheels start turning for it to be voted on at the next General Conference.
The militants in the denomination will continue to beat their drum until they get their way.
Here are some things I think might be helpful to understand:
The leadership of the UMC is generally liberal to very liberal.
However, in the congregations, a great deal of the populace is biblically conservative/fundamentalist or at least respect the Bible.
I figure that the liberals and radical liberals in the UMC denomination leadership would love to recognize and promote this thing.
However, they like having the jobs that they have.
The financial resources necessary to keep them in their jobs comes from the people sitting in the pews.
In many cases, the people in the pews view the authority of the Bible no differently than most of us here would.
Now, my own commentary:
The denomination leadership knows that if they do something really, really stupid, like promote this thing, there will be a mass exodus out of the denomination.
The money it takes to keep them in their jobs would no longer be there.
Therefore, they decided to hold off on this.