Methodists Poised to Move Beyond Gay Issue

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
By Cary McMullen
THE LEDGER

FORT WORTH, Texas Advocates of gay rights wonder whether this might be the year when the United Methodist Church drops its sanction against homosexuality. A proposal that may be voted on today at the church's General Conference would make the 7.9 million-member church the largest to withhold moral judgment about gay sexual activity.

Almost 1,000 delegates from all 50 states and 66 overseas jurisdictions will conclude a 10-day meeting at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Friday. The conference, which meets every four years, sets policy for the denomination, which has struggled over the role and place of gays for more than 35 years.

The church's current policy declares, "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." A legislative committee has proposed a sweeping change to that policy, taking a neutral stance, calling "all members of our community of faith to commitment, integrity and fidelity in their sexual relationships."

The proposal also acknowledges the strong disagreements within the church and asks "the Church, United Methodist and others, and the world, to refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices until the Spirit leads us to new insight." the rest

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