Faith groups are split on gay marriage
Most denominations, like most states, oppose sanctioning of same-sex unions
05:40 PM CST on Saturday, November 5, 2005
By JEFFREY WEISS / The Dallas Morning News

On Tuesday, Texans will vote on a constitutional amendment that would outlaw gay marriage. This week, coincidentally, the United Methodists met in Houston and voted to defrock a lesbian minister from Pennsylvania. The Methodists also decided not to suspend a Virginia pastor who refused to let an openly gay man join his church.

The United Church of Christ, meanwhile, has launched an ad campaign to let the world know that the denomination welcomes gays and lesbians.

The confluence of politics and faith on matters dealing with homosexuality is no surprise. Figuring out what God thinks about homosexuality remains a thorny task for many denominations. And how the government treats gays and lesbians remains a prime political issue. The rest