Tag Archives: morality

Go Methodists!

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I hope the orthodox/traditional Methodists win out over the heterodox/progressive
elements.

Methodists
Order Review of Lesbian Case
By JOE MANDAK, Associated Press Writer

PITTSBURGH – United Methodists ordered their top court to review the case of a lesbian
pastor after the court ruled Saturday that gay sex violates Christian teaching.

The denomination’s General Conference voted 551-345 to direct the Judicial Council to review the case of the Rev. Karen Dammann, whose avowed homosexuality led to church charges of committing practices “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

Methodist
Court Says Gay Clergy Prohibited
Wash. Pastor Can Remain, for Now
By Alan Cooperman, Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 2, 2004; Page A22

“The highest court in the United Methodist Church ruled yesterday that church law
unambiguously says the practice of homosexuality is ‘incompatible with Christian
teaching’ and a ‘chargeable offense’ for Methodist ministers.”

The Great Divide

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The
Politics of Partisan Neutrality
Louis Bolce and Gerald De Maio
Copyright (c) 2004 First Things 143 (May 2004): 9-12.

“Americans who want to understand conflicts between Democrats and Republicans
during the election season have received precious little help from the media. While
reporters usually recognize that there is some sort of problem about ‘values’ and
about ‘faith-based’ principles, and that the Democrats and Republicans are often
on opposite sides, writers and editors tend to publish news and analysis as if the
situation were as follows: The Christian right, having infiltrated the Republican
Party, is importing its divisive religious ideas into our public life, whereas the
Democratic Party is the neutral camp of tolerant and pluralistic Americans.”

This gives me some insight into what’s happened to the Democratic Party. I was raised
by staunch Democrats and I voted as a Democrat for 7 years. Now I’m independent
and I register either Republican or Democrat depending on which primary is more
crucial to my beliefs (such as the Toomy vs. Specter race). I used to the think
Republican party was just a bunch of redneck Evangelical yahoos. I’m starting to
understand why so many of my Christian brethren vote Republican. The party still
does things that disgust me, so I won’t declare myself a Republican anytime soon,
but I’m more open to their point of view.

Bold Voice

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Teen
Punished for Speaking Against Homosexuality Wants Apology
By Jim Brown
April 29, 2004

“(AgapePress) – A Christian student is asking his Boone, North Carolina, high
school to apologize for censoring his opposition to a pro-homosexual event on campus.”

Unfortunately for this lad, court precedent says that a public school has the right
to enforce dress codes. His shirt could be construed as being in violation of his
school’s dress code. Besides, the message was a bit harsh. We’re not likely to win
back too many homosexuals to right living by telling them they’re going to hell.
Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but we’re all guilty of sins and some are pretty nasty.
And unless we’re saints, we’re not confessing them all (privately or publicly).
I like the kid’s idea though. Someone should stand up for Christian sexual ethics.
If gays can “speak” their minds during the Day of Silence, we should be
free to “speak” ours, through t-shirts or other means. The trick is to
do so compassionately.

Free Will

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Nancy Pelosi has joined John Kerry in his public defiance of the Church, on the
grounds “that every person has a free will and has the responsibility to live
their lives in a way that they would have to account for in the end.” This
is not an untrue statement, but it neglects to mentioned informed conscience and
obedience. Scripture and Tradition are pretty clear on correct response to doctrine.
Here’s a repost of a relevant article. I’ve spewed enough vitriol for now. I’ll
leave it in the hands of the Church and pray.

What
Vatican II did, and didn’t, teach about conscience
Elections and voting booths are never `faith-free’ zones

“Vatican II must be the most widely praised and rarely followed council in
Catholic history – at least when it comes to candidates and voters.”

Catholics who appeal to the “spirit of Vatican II” and claim to be following their consciences when they ignore Catholic teaching on issues of vital public importance would be wise to revisit what the council actually said.

Open To What?

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I've often wondered about their motto myself. The "open minds" part worried me most. An open mind is like an open trap. It isn't useful unless it closes on something.

Methodist 'Openness' Motto Queried — Open to What?
Acquittal of Lesbian Pastor Source of Distress at UMC's General Conference
By Fred Jackson and Jim Brown
April 28, 2004

"(AgapePress) – United Methodists meeting in Pittsburgh appear deeply divided over whether their denomination's motto –'Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors' — requires acceptance of behavior that the Bible calls sinful."