Faith

Methodist Clergy Defy Church’s Gay Marriage Ban: ‘An Uprising Taking Place’

Methodist Clergy Defy Churchs Gay Marriage Ban: An Uprising Taking Place

Rev. Amy DeLong sits at her home, in Osceola, Wis. While trials of pastors who conduct same-gender ceremonies have only occurred once every several years, the threat is indeed real: DeLong faces a three-day trial starting Tuesday, June 21, 2011, on two charges: violating a church prohibition on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" and marrying a lesbian couple. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A growing number of pastors in the United Methodist Church say they’re no longer willing to obey a church rule that prohibits them from officiating at same-sex marriages, despite the potential threat of being disciplined or dismissed from the church.

In some parts of the U.S., Methodist pastors have been marrying same-sex couples or conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions for years with little fanfare and no backlash from the denomination. Calls to overturn the rule have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks, ratcheting up the pressure for the Methodist church to join other mainline Protestant denominations that have become more accepting of openly gay leaders.

While trials of pastors who conduct same-gender ceremonies have only occurred once every several years, the threat is indeed real: The Rev. Amy DeLong of Osceola in western Wisconsin faces a three-day trial starting Tuesday on two charges: violating a church prohibition on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and marrying a lesbian couple.

She said she told her supervisors years ago that she was in a lesbian relationship and felt comforted by the support and caring she received in response.

While she avoided discussing her relationship in local church settings, she said her efforts to live halfway in the closet and halfway out took such a toll that she finally decided to break her silence. She agreed to marry a lesbian couple in the fall of 2009, and she didn’t mince words when she reported it in a required ministerial report a few months later. Eventually the two church charges were filed against her.

“I would be lying if I said this process hasn’t been difficult, but I also feel called to break the silence and tell my own truth regardless of the consequences,” said DeLong, 44. “When I entered (the ministry) I did not suspend my conscience. It’s incumbent on me not to perpetuate its unjust laws.”

The chances of getting the rule reversed within the Methodist church are far from certain, however. Rule changes must be approved by delegates at the church’s General Conference, held every four years. Because a growing number of delegates come from Africa, the Philippines and other theologically conservative regions, voting patterns reflect strong resistance to change.

That hasn’t stopped Methodist clergy in the U.S. from raising the stakes. Hundreds of pastors from areas including Illinois, Minnesota, New York and New England have signed statements in recent weeks asserting their willingness to defy the rule.

Those who do so could be charged with violating denominational law and forced to face a church trial. Penalties could include defrocking or suspension from the ministry.

At a conference this month in Minnesota, the Rev. Bruce Robbins of the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church invited clergy to sign a statement saying they’d be willing to conduct any wedding, not just heterosexual ones. He said more than 70 signed it.

Robbins said he was driven to a sense of urgency because efforts are under way to have Minnesota’s constitution limit civil marriages to heterosexual couples.

“One of the tragedies is, there are so many things we should be attending to: poverty issues, justice issues,” he said. “I wish this didn’t have to be at the center of our efforts today. But it is because of the inequality, the unfairness of the policy.”

Similar efforts in New York this month drew signatures from more than 140 clergy and another 500 signatures of support from lay people, according to an organizer. Another 100 retired clergy did the same in New England, and at least a dozen there have actually conducted same-sex marriages with no complaints.

Organizers in northern Illinois gathered about 200 pastor signatures on June 10 but took an extra step, as well. Because the jurors in church trials come from a pool of clergy members within the same geographical region, the northern Illinois clergy members passed a nonbinding agreement that any jury that convicts a pastor recommend a penalty no stronger than a 24-hour suspension.

“It‘s not something we can dictate to the jury but it’s a suggestion of how we can both honor rules of the church law and also honor Jesus’s teaching about inclusivity,” said Ermalou Roller, a retired pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference.

Theologically conservative Methodists believe that the Bible bars same-sex relationships and have been advocating for years to keep the prohibition against same-gender marriage in the Methodist’s Book of Discipline. Just last month, the Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court, upheld the ban on same-gender marriage and clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”

An executive with an advocacy group for conservative mainline Protestants said he didn’t expect the provision would be changed anytime soon. Mark Tooley, the president of The Institute on Religion and Democracy, said it would either have to be overturned by a vote of the whole worldwide delegation, or the delegation would have to allow the U.S. delegation to set rules specifically for itself. Neither option has historically gained much traction, he said.

Although DeLong’s case has been drawing widespread attention, it’s not the only reason that momentum has been building to overturn the prohibition. A number of Methodist clergy say it violates the church’s social-justice teachings, and they say they’re stepping up their efforts in part because national attitudes toward discrimination against gays and lesbians are becoming more enlightened. Same-sex marriage is now legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.

One retired pastor in Massachusetts has been defying the same-sex-wedding ban for more than 10 years without drawing any complaints and has no plans to stop. The Rev. Richard Harding, 85, said the church is only hurting itself by driving away both talented clergy and younger members who think the policy is out of touch.

“I‘m getting on in years and I may not see the change but there’s definitely an uprising taking place,” he said. “There are signs that the pole of justice is beginning to lean the proper way. I think we’ll see even more of this. We aren’t going to go away.”

Comments (325)

1 2 3 ... 7
  • Alan
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:19pm

    If you‘re unhappy enough with your church’s official position on a political or social viewpoint, then leave and start your own church. There is no shame in that, as it is how nearly every protestant church was established. So enjoy. But you don’t have the right to force other people to accept your sexually perverse ideology.

    Report Post »  
  • bitterclinger
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:19pm

    “One of the tragedies is, there are so many things we should be attending to: poverty issues, justice issues,” he said. “I wish this didn’t have to be at the center of our efforts today. But it is because of the inequality, the unfairness of the policy.”

    Get it? Marrying homos should be the least of their worries. They’re wanting to get on with redistributing your wealth! Most churches, including my RC church, have been infiltrated with leftists and have long lost their way. And they wonder why attendance is down?

    Report Post » bitterclinger  
  • willbedone
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:16pm

    My advice to believers: Use the story of Lot. Regardless of what or who you leave behind, leave and don’t look back. Let the Creator do the judging and punishing. Look forward to being of service elsewhere. YOU are needed elsewhere.

    Report Post » willbedone  
    • Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:27pm

      “Let the Creator do the judging and punishing”

      Golly really. These people sure do need some punishment. I mean some REALLY nasty punishment. The kind Biblegod can dish out. teach them a REAL lesson!

      Hey god, make sure to visit our prisons after you WHACK these Methodists.

      Report Post » Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:21pm

      Careful, Atheist. God is not mocked.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • Ryan
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 5:03am

      LOL at everything that just happened there.
      @LACT, I don’t agree with you politically, but the regression the party of ‘freedom’ experiences when gays (myself) are brought up is terribly funny.

      Report Post » Ryan  
  • Chuckkel
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:05pm

    Most Methodists Ministers are GAY. At Garret Methodist Seminary (part of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL), my friend who was a ministers in training was treated badly solely since she was not a homosexual. All of the church attendees are homos too, dancing barefoot with their rainbow flags in church, what a disgusting display.

    Report Post »  
    • chicago76
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:24pm

      I have heard that many Catholic priests were, are gay also. They were recruiting gays because they thought gays could or would keep their pledge of celebacy, maybe more easily, that straight people. Then they found out that those same priests were abusing boys. The church really has lost its way.

      Report Post »  
  • Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:39pm

    This is GREAT news – I love dissension in the religious ranks. Makes my day.

    I mean – god must be losing his communicating ability these days.

    Report Post » Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker  
    • TheGreyPiper
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:30pm

      No, people are losing their listening capability. As for dissension in the ranks.. far as I’m concerned, Protestants don’t count anyway.

      BTW, is it ignorance or petulance that compels you to write “God” -in this context- with a lower-case ‘g’? Someone of your purported intelligence should understand that when used this way, “God” is a proper name and needs to be capitalized.

      Got that?

      You ignorant two-faced slimy co(ksucker.

      Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
    • annieoakley
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:34pm

      No, you are losing your ability to communicate. If you ever had such.

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:19pm

      How very gracious of you, Atheist. You delight in the misfortune of others.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
  • jimay
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Two different issues are in conflice in the Methodist Church:
    A denomination with clear black-letter law regarding this and other issues in the Methodist Book of Discipline.
    A laity and to some extent clergy that are afraid of declining attendance and blame it on failure to align with issues like this.

    The apostle Paul seemed pretty savvy about how different people with different gifts could serve the church in different ways. The Methodist Church doesn’t always get this point.

    Report Post »  
  • Red Blooded
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:08pm

    The pole of justice…..Haha joke goes here

    Report Post » Red Blooded  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:07pm

    I am going to try and fit in and write a post like my fellow Blazers:
    ‘devils, devils, pray, devils, communists, pray, Israel, Israel, Israel, devils, devils, Satan, Satan, Satan, pray, pray, pray, pray, kill communists, kill abortionists, kill homos, Armageddon, Glenn, armageddon, Glenn, armageddon, Glenn, armageddon, Glenn, Israel, Israel, Israel, muslims, negros, muslims, muslims, negros, muslims, muslims, negros, muslims, ape, ape, ape, monkey, monkey, monkey, negros, War of Northern Agression, negros, armageddon, Glenn.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:10pm

      @Baikonur
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:07pm
      *************
      PS (I forgot this important motif in teabaggery): guns, guns, guns, keep powder dry, kill, jesus, survivor seeds/bunker/gold, oathkeepers, unborn Americans, kill, kill, kill, kill, survivor seeds/bunker/gold, punish, punish, boycott. Oathkeepers.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:20pm

      You have way toooo much time on your hands, maybe a Hobie would help ..for you may i suggest getting a coloring book

      Report Post »  
    • Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:41pm

      “maybe a Hobie would help”

      You want him to buy a sailboat?

      Report Post » Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker  
    • mtnclimberjim
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:36pm

      you’ve been watching way too much porn, you twisted freak!

      Report Post » mtnclimberjim  
    • HankScram
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 8:50pm

      @MountainClimberJim and Others,

      Can’t you laugh at the “conservatives” on this site who have a knee jerk reaction to any topic? I think that‘s Baikonur’s point and its damn funny. There is a whole nuther brand of conservative lurking who loves his country, loves the military, loves higher education, cares about the environment (remember how well we cleaned up the mall after Glenn’s rally?), and loves freedom and independence to the point that we don’t want power to shove our religious beliefs down others throats, but so we are assured we can always practice our religious beliefs.

      If you can’t laugh at yourself, you just prove his point even more.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 11:32pm

      Hey Hank,

      Congrats, I see you got the JZS seal of approval.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • HankScram
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:01am

      @ RightsofBilly,

      Hope that’s a good thing. I’m relatively new to reading the Blaze. I’ll have to pay particular attention to JZS. Regarding what I’ve had to say thus far – I could be wrong.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:58am

      @Hank

      You do that.
      Have fun & keep busy.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Ryan
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:58am

      That’s actually REALLY funny.

      I’m a gay Libertarian, and most people here would are only focusing on the fact that I’m gay and NOT that I have everything else in common with them, politically at least.

      Dare I say morally? I might have just scared some readers.

      To everyone expressing disgust of homosexuals instead of mild apathy, I would like to personally thank you for killing gays… the most at-risk suicide group in youth. Your mindset has been responsible for one of my best friends killing himself. For my family’s disowning of me.
      Do you really think anyone chooses to have so many people look upon you with scorn?

      Report Post » Ryan  
    • notatoomah
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 8:47am

      Ryan, you chose sin over goodness. You chose what make you feel good over what IS good. You chose yourself over God and your family. Until you turn from that lifestyle, you will never know peace or joy. It is sad to hear of your friend, since he no longer has the chance to change. But if you could hear his voice today, you would hear him pleading with you to turn from sin and turn to Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • Gatorslide
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:02pm

    OK, so let‘s say you don’t believe in God. Let’s say you think you have it all figured out and all the conservative Christian white men had it all wrong. Let’s say that you think you are so intelligent that none of the nerdish moral majority can figure it all out.

    THEN PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW SAME SEX UNIONS HELP PROCREATE THE POPULATION?! Even from the most secular point of view, IT MAKES NO SENSE!

    Report Post »  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:31pm

      ….Like i always say…where there’s a will..there’s another relative …………………lol

      Report Post »  
    • EnoughBS
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 8:23pm

      What about infertile heterosexual couples? Or those couple who decide not to have kids for economic reasons? Are they also subject to your god’s hellfire?

      Report Post » EnoughBS  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:12pm

      @EnoughBS… considering God doesn’t call that an abomination, than no.. they are no subject to God’s hellfire.
      Read the bible. It clearly says homosexuality is an abomination. People who are unfortunate enough to be infertile or those that choose not to procreate are not going against nature.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • EnoughBS
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:13pm

      JJ, I‘m responding to Gator’s post. For some people, it’s all about the ability to procreate and nothing else.

      Report Post » EnoughBS  
    • Ryan
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 4:55am

      Perhaps the role of the homosexual is to adopt children that single mothers and young girls seem to be so good at cranking out. I‘m sure they’re good Christian girls, spreading missionary as required of them in the good book.
      Since we‘re checking the bible about homosexuality defining a person’s fitness for life… Are handicapped people unworthy too? Depends how much you pick and choose I guess.

      Leviticus 21:16-23
      handicapped may not approach the alter of God.
      Exodus 4:11
      People are how they are because God made them that way. (paraphrasing)

      Pick and choose what you want from the bible. And decide if you can think for yourself or live ONLY through a book, even if it hurts others. (but it’s okay because those you hurt are different, right)

      Report Post » Ryan  
    • notatoomah
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 8:35am

      Look, Ryan, you have the same problem as the other non-believers in here. You can’t decipher the word of God on your own. You need the Holy Spirit to guide you. And the constant paraphrasing of the Bible is why so many of you are confused

      That said, The verse you cite in Leviticus is another example to show that God is perfect and Holy. That no sin may enter His presence, no infirmity, no imperfection. However, if taken literally, it is irrelevant in it’s context because it is out-dated. Nobody except one priest was allowed to pass through the veil and approach the altar of God. But when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn, and the entire temple doctrine thrown asunder. Since that time, anyone can come to God, through Jesus Christ.

      Next, God gave us free will, all of us, we can choose to accept Him or deny Him completely. Those who choose to accept, must then decide DAILY to follow Him, and heed His Word.

      Lastly, all of scripture is profitable. It is the contemporary church that is picking and choosing what to teach. Once you remove the parts about abominations, sin, punishment, Hell, and anything else that make you uncomfortable, then you are learning from an awfully skinny book. Read Revelation, friend, those that add or take away from God’s word will be cursed.

      Report Post »  
  • blackcatrun
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:00pm

    Walk out. Go to a church for unity of faith? Only to have it highjacked by a homosexual group. question it that becomes the center of a fight to keep the church or let it go. I remind humans faith doesnt need a name or a house that goes against the word of God. That was a calling card to go and find a place that is more aimed at keeping ones soul in one piece. You are the church not the church is you if you dont control your own faith the devils will for you. A political percieved right that has never exisisted in human history need not be on the agenda when you go to communicate with God.
    No one will find soluse in a ministry preaching sin.

    Report Post »  
  • jstan442
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:59pm

    they have chosen ‘man’s way‘ instead of God’s word–’as for me and my house,we will follow the Lord’

    Report Post » jstan442  
  • Pastor Melissa
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:49pm

    This one story has so much back story to it, it would take a book to truly explain everything that is currently going on in the UMC.

    Report Post » Pastor Melissa  
    • jimay
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 1:25pm

      The name of the book here is “Book of Discipline of the UMC 2008”.
      To quote a line from the movie My Cousin Vinny: “You was serious about dat?”
      Yes. If you decide to reject it, you can’t keep your job.
      If you decide to reject it, we pray you don’t surrender your soul and give up on god. Keep working on your faith and find another way to serve god. There are plenty of opportunities to serve in many different ways.

      Report Post »  
  • ICEDRAGONNITE
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:46pm

    IF THE CHURCH DOCTRINE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE WORD OF GOD. FIND ANOTHER CHURCH. Pervision is NOT ACCEPTED BY GOD PERIOD. I just don’t see the big arguement. PERVERTS OUT.

    Report Post » ICEDRAGONNITE  
  • geonj
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:41pm

    kick these ministers out of their chruches. it won‘t be long before obama’s progressive administration, with holder in the lead, trying to force churches to marry these people, abominations in God’s eyes.

    Report Post » geonj  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:39pm

    @rcinmo
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:29pm
    ‘Pastors that are unwilling to follow God’s word should be stripped of their standing and taken of the church payroll.’
    **************
    Your priests are on a payroll??? Grotesque. protestants are so prosaic.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:37pm

    @Exrepublisheep
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:28pm
    ‘There are actually several revised editions out already. Pro-gay, some writing out “men” and using non-sexually oriented pronouns. A world church is necessary to bring about armageddon.’
    *****************************
    Oh, come on, why do you have to mess with them like that? They will absolutely believe it. It is like shooting fish in a barrel. Unsportsmanlike.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
  • ashestoashes
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:33pm

    This reminds me of when the Lord visits the churches and says, “I have this aganst you” However, I don’t recall any of them being gay. If memory serves me correctly, God said that homosexuality is not only a sin, but an abomination to Him. It is something He literally hates. In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves, seeking only to please themselves? To be a believer means to be a follower of Jesus and to keep His laws. These homosexuals are wolves in sheeps clothing…false prophets, leading others , in particularly, the young astray. They are in the wrong profession. God will deal with them. NKJV 1 Cor 6: 9 tellls who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

    Report Post »  
  • rcinmo
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:29pm

    The UMC has forgotten that the Bible is the inerrant word of God as well as placed the church as more important than God. Pastors that are unwilling to follow God’s word should be stripped of their standing and taken of the church payroll.

    Report Post »  
  • selenesteets
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:16pm

    People should stand up for what they believe in. The Church, as an institution, has the right to respond however they want.
    These pastors certainly shouldn’t expect to change the Church. If they know they are following God, this shouldn’t be an issue for them and there is nothing stopping them from getting together to worship.
    The Gay marriage fighting strikes me as a disrespect to God. God needs no institution. Institutions help us and give us community, but He is not of them. Whether or not a specific pastor is associated with a specific church should have to do with shared ideology. Anything else seems like a power issue, which has no place in Faith.

    Report Post » selenesteets  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:32pm

      Let them argue with God’s word to give their argument merit. Let these gay homosexuals cite the verses in the Bible where God embraces THIS perversion. There are none. Case closed.

      For them to say the church needs to change around THEM is indirectly calling themselves perfect before the Lord. They are in effect demanding the church repent for its sin against homosexual gays. They are saying God himself is wrong. This is blasphemous and warrants excommunication.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • RN MOM
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:14pm

    They are undermining the sanctity of their church and the sanctity of marriage, what a let down. I hope DeLong is Defrocked- she is a disappointment to the position she holds in her church. People need to be able to count on their clergy providing a “moral north”, not giving in to the lure of sin and saying “ahh, what ever feels right to you…”

    Report Post » RN MOM  
  • ZAP
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:10pm

    What will they do ,re-write the BIBLE

    Report Post » ZAP  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:28pm

      There are actually several revised editions out already. Pro-gay, some writing out “men” and using non-sexually oriented pronouns. A world church is necessary to bring about armageddon.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:38pm

      Why not .. they rewrite history all the time. Twist it to their way of thinking …

      Report Post »  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 9:48pm

      They use the new Fill-IN-THE-BLANK Bible.

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 11:07pm

      they have.. a couple times now..

      Report Post »  
  • MontanaRob
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:02pm

    Obviously, “she” wants to be a man. Who knows for certain what God gave her to work with, but if she truly had any respect for HIS works, she would grow up and go along witht the plumbing and chemistry she has.
    Honestly, Amy looks more masculine than ANY democrat I’ve seen, or most any european.

    Report Post » MontanaRob  
  • randy
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:01pm

    Disgusting

    Report Post » randy  
    • John_Free
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:45pm

      The Methodists are following the Anglicans, Presbyterians, Unitarians et el straight to hell.

      America is already suffering consequences of satanic liberalism….its everywhere and most are to clueless to see what is happening.

      Fasten your seatbelts folks.

      Report Post » John_Free  
    • tige33
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:38pm

      The left has been infiltrating the church for years just like they have the gov. through the laws and courts. imho.

      God bless us all

      Report Post » tige33  
    • ronmorgen
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:00pm

      There is some serious bad luck coming to America soon because it won’t heed the warnings.

      Report Post » ronmorgen  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:07pm

      It ain’t bad luck because “bad luck” is something you can’t do anything about. It’s plain and simple a people that have turned their backs on God and in turn, God will (if He hasn’t already) do the same to the people–turning His back on them (us, as a country). Yes, judgement is coming and it won’t be pretty.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • huufarted
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:14pm

      I have known for years that Methodists dont have enough of the Holy Spirit in their Church to attract the attention of a USED DEMON. What part of NOT letting women be MINISTERS did they not understand…

      Report Post »  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 4:57pm

    Leftists come in all forms, shapes and sizes. What filth.

    Remember gay homosexual, what happened to the gay homosexuals who wanted to rape God’s angels?

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:16pm

      Really makes you wonder, doesn’t it. Can you believe in God if you do not believe the word of God?

      Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • Gorp
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:52pm

      On a lighter note: Wouldn’t a “Gay Homosexual” be straight?

      Report Post » Gorp  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 8:04pm

      No, he just saying the if you are a ****, you have no right to be gay about it.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 19, 2011 at 4:57pm

    Many new churches are being formed in America, because of bad directives by Church leadership.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:04pm

      Same sex marriages are not recognized by God. ****-sex marriage in reality, does not exist. It may be sanctioned by the state, but it is not sanctioned by God. You pervs need to get over it.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:07pm

      Lucifer has infiltrated many denominations. Those who believe in big government and not God have seen to that. The church will either embrace Satan putting up with it and see Biblical values go out the window or they will excommunicate these perverts.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:10pm

      another form of population control

      Holdren calls himself a “neo-Malthusian” in his own book, and as Tarpley explains, is a historical pessimist who has rejected the idea that America and humanity as a whole can progress through ingenuity, industry and economic growth. Instead, Holdren sees humankind as a cancer upon the earth. Holdren wants to set up a “Science Court,” where potential developments could be blocked by government decree if they don’t conform to the planned society necessary under Holdren’s “planetary regime”. He also seeks to institute “de-development” worldwide to prevent the third world from ever lifting itself out of poverty and roll things back to “pre-industrial civilization” where average life spans would not be much more than 30 years.
      http://www.infowars.com/the-elites-plan-for-global-extermination-exposed-by-dr-webster-tarpley/

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:19pm

      If they want to just want to do their own thing, stop calling themselves part of the Church, just call yourself a social organization. There is no room for deviant behavior in the leaders of Gods’ church.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • 02NOV2010
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:52pm

      What do these lost Christians actually believe? What authority in the Bible do they attempt to cite in support of same-sex relationships, including marraige?

      Everytime I read an article about this or a related topic, there is little to no coverage of how they even start to make their argument. Maybe I just answered my own question — there is no Biblical authority!!!!

      But seriously, I want to understand their position (so I can argue against it better!), so if anyone can like me to something along these lines, I would appreciate it.

      Report Post »  
    • 02NOV2010
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 5:54pm

      CLARIFICATION: Meant to write “…so if anyone can LINK me to something along these lines, I would appreciate it.”

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:34pm

      bring it on…corrupt roman empire redux !

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:36pm

      rev. amy needs a penis transplant..these people are sick…

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:42pm

      I am glad to see so many of the faith now making the move while standing up for core principles instead of giving into the expediency of the day. What is Right is Right; no matter how often others try to spin it away, it speaks for itself.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 6:56pm

      EXPOSED ! FALSE CHRISTIANS IN NAME Only
      Clear from these pews, or join in their tangled web of sin !

      Report Post »  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:05pm

      Pedifile says ” If not for the UNFAIRNESS OF POLICY, I COULD HAVE AS MANY YOUNG BOYS AS I WANTED” I BET THESE PEOPLE COULD BE PRO CHOICE ALSO! WHY NOT!
      IT’S NOT LIKE IT MATTERS WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES !

      Report Post »  
    • Wayner
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:31pm

      No matter what some perverted church leaders say,,,,, there is nowhere in the Bible that man is given the authority to change God’s decrees. He says homosexuality is an abomination. As a matter of fact he says that “anyone who adds to or takes away from his word , that man (or woman) is cursed”

      Report Post »  
    • WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:54pm

      The Penalty for homosexuality is Death.

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 8:02pm

      They should join another Church – for example there are no gay Baptists. Gays are not allowed in those churches, or by the Mormon cult either. It is easy to become a Catholic or some other religion that has morals.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • Dont-hate-on-me-2
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 8:44pm

      why oh why, kick them out there already going to the hottest place ever.

      Report Post » Dont-hate-on-me-2  
    • Sound The Trumpet In Zion
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 9:14pm

      Well, if they are not willing to follow God’s rules then they should be kicked out of the church since that is what the church is supposed to be. However, since the Methodist church does not follow God’s Rules either then they can stay with the Methodist Church and the Methodist Church can be removed from any type of recognition as a Christian Religion!

      Report Post » Sound The Trumpet In Zion  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 9:54pm

      If you are a clergy in the Methodist Church and you are blessing immorality by performing a marriage ceremony, you should be thrown out of your Church immediately. Even the Church of God does NOT invite evil into it’s house. There can be only one result of mans coming in contact with evil… to destroy it!

      http://www.AMillionGoWest.com – Help us get 1 million signatures on a petition that asks Allen West to run for President in 2012.

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:01pm

      These so called Christian denominations are not followers of Christ. If they were, this type of activity wouldn’t even be considered.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • rangerp
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:08pm

      Churches that have turned their back on Bible truth, and became social groups.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:22pm

      I recently left the UMC because of their support of The Philistines over Israel.
      http://guerillatics.com/?p=856

      Report Post »  
    • Rice Water
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 10:30pm

      “The book of Mormon: The Musical”. WAY better than that Spiderman thingy.

      Report Post » Rice Water  
    • jzs
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 12:29am

      The Bible has all sorts of prohibitions, ones that you all ignore.

      “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” – Leviticus 19:27.

      Any males here shave? There are many, many biblical injunctions that you ignore every day, some punishable by death. Yet most of you follow “buffet” belief in the Bible, picking and choosing what you like about the Bible, and ignoring the parts you don’t like (like shaving).

      But you choose to claim that, unlike shaving, or eating shellfish, that homsexuality is bad and marriage worse.

      Seriously, why do you care? And don’t quote the Bible, or I’ll quote you 50 things you do every day that are prohibited by the Bible.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Favored93
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 1:16am

      The law and the church….England used to be run by the “church” and the result was oppression and corruption. Our founding fathers saw fit rightly so to make sure that this country not follow the same road.
      And I praise God for it! while this story does not involve the govt. I see a direct connection to our liberal leaders and these “pastors” saying God says your sin is ok! NO! Sin is sin! Marriage was Gods idea! Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve! …Gen.3 … For this reason shall a man leave is mother and father and cling to his wife and likewise a woman to her husband. (not an exact quote) if the homosexual wants to have “legal unions” I say fine have the govt. give them the “legal” rights a married couple would have but keep our churches out of it! Don’t call it marriage! The difference is marriage is a religious institution and Holy. These “pastors” are saying God is WRONG! How dare they!!! the Methodist leadership needs to strip them of their title and publicly denounce them because by not doing so they are agreeing with them. Sin is still sin. God loves the homosexual but not the sin. He calls them to repent,(turn around and go the other way… ie stop sinning) this is not a hateful thing but loving. Wake up!!! This is an assault on the very character of God! These “pastors” are dead wrong!!!!!

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 1:49am

      Good. Don’t force your perversions on people. Want to do it? fine. Just keep it in the closet.

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:45am

      ,
      Between the Muslims and ****’s this church is under attack. I was told by a Distric Superintendent that I should not worry about the Muslims, because we worship the same God on Sunday….. Can’t wait to hear the excuse for this………..

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • TMink
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:29am

      It looks like a reformed Methodist denomination is in order. Sheep over here, goats over there.
      Trey

      Report Post »  
    • notatoomah
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:34am

      @JZS

      You can’t interpret the Bible properly unless you are a Christian, having the Holy Spirit within you, so don’t throw Bible verses around. Don’t tell me you are a Christian either, because reading your posts on here, it’s quite obvious you are not.

      Leviticus is full of rules, for Priests from the tribe of Levi. Does not pertain to me, or any Christian for that matter, because Jesus is the High Priest of our church, and there are no lower priests. We have pastors, the rules for which are clearly outlined in the New Testament.

      You‘re doing a great job at being Satan’s advocate. I’m sure he will reward you accordingly.

      Report Post »  
    • Miguelito
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:49am

      This is what religion looks like! Is it in the Bible?

      Report Post »  
    • furnatic
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:55am

      To those of who who say same-sex couples are evil.
      Are you saying it’s okay for priests to touch little boys and girls, because the church tries to cover it up? Great job with the hypocrisy and double-standard. This is why your losing credibility. You don‘t own up to the mistakes of the church and punish those involved because they’re clergy. But as soon as someone OUTSIDE the church says something like they’re gay, it suddenly becomes a horrible issue.

      Report Post » furnatic  
    • Liberty 4x4
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:25am

      Probably the foremost scholar on the bible and homosexuality is Robert Gagnon. Here is his perspective on this issue:

      http://www.vimeo.com/2126309.

      Report Post » Liberty 4x4  
    • MarchBandDad
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:25am

      What a cop-out to put this back on Church leadership! As a man, a member of our local Methodist Church and just a mere mortal, I have concerns for those that would sit in judgement of this clergy member; however I am equally concerned for someone who entered our ministry knowing what the doctrine was before she entered.

      While Jesus’ example in many aspects contradicted the church leaders of his time, I would challenge anyone to demonstrate how he contradicted scripture.

      I am proud to be a member of a church that welcomes and accepts those of differing sexual orientation, but that acceptance is not an invitation to change the church as it exists today. I would pray that this member of the clergy would be forgiven for her practice, reconsider and practice in accordance with the ministry that she accepted at her time of ordination.

      Report Post » MarchBandDad  
    • stephenb.net
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:28am

      7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
      And whose trust is the LORD.
      8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
      That extends its roots by a stream
      And will not fear when the heat comes;
      But its leaves will be green,
      And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
      Nor cease to yield fruit.

      9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
      And is desperately sick;
      Who can understand it?
      10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
      I test the mind,
      Even to give to each man according to his ways,
      According to the results of his deeds

      Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:47am

      Have to say I don’t go to church.. however.. it’s because of the politics of organized religion NOT from the lack of faith.. it’s a shame that these clergy have strayed from the word of GOD so far.. I have relatives who actually support GAY MARRIAGE.. I am NOT even saying I would turn my back on one of my children, grandchildren etc if they came and said they were gay.. I am just against MARRIAGE being disaggregated by allowing gay marriage..and I am SURE that is NOT what GOD had in mind..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • DTOM_Jericho (escaped PA)
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:06am

      The direct result of women and youth in leadership. Next thing you know they will want to white-wash Messiah‘s and the disciples’ actual names into some sort of euro-trash. Maybe they will start doing sun-worshipping pagan rituals(xmas/easter) as commemorating the death and birth of Messiah.(forbidden)

      Nothing like watching xians talk about what is an abomination to Him while they celebrate Him in ways that He forbids; clearly stated abominations. It’s almost as tragic as watching xians defend themselves against racist charges while they strip Messiah of His Jewishness and force Him to change His name and Holy Days… “Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd” (constantine)

      Like it or not “christianity” was founded on, and perpetuates, anti-Semitism –from the holidays they celebrate to the very translations they use(especially the king james). The same terrible Laws christians abandoned “at the cross” are the ones that dictate to help the poor, take care of widows, follow His Holy Days AND forbid homosexuality. You cannot pick and choose. Can you prove homosexuality is wrong using the “new testament” only? Methinks not. If you dig back into the “old testament” for tithing or proving homosexuality wrong; shouldn’t you use it also to know when and how to worship Him? I mean He went to all that trouble to tell you. Just sayin’.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • American Soldier (Separated)
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:16am

      I don‘t care if God doesn’t recognize the marriages, as long as legally they are recognized as such. As long as being married provides you with certain privileges, this is a must. You can claim this is a Christian nation all you want, but under the Constitution, I have my rights as a non-believer. It does not give those rights to Christians but all Americans. They have the right to pursuit their version of happiness. What concern is it of yours if they may be going to hell? None.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • woodyl1011fl
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:19am

      Apparently God’s moral law is a bad directive according to you. These curches you speak of being founded are not founded on the Word of God the Gospel of Jesus Christ but on the depraved elementrary princples of this world system which proclaims the wickedness of human wisdom as divinely ordained truth. Nothing has has changed since Satan‘s confrontation with Adam and Eve in God’s garden in Genesis and his servants use the same deceptions as he did then in todays ever increasingly evil culture as rebellious man shakes his puny little fist in God’s face by rejecting His revealed Word that is written and therefore His Son as well. How tragic Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the culture he lived very much like our own including the murder of children 2 Timothy 3:1-7 ” But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • riaf-decnalab
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 3:14pm

      The Truth has been getting distorted ever since Christ founded His Church. The biggest distortion was with Martin Luther (circa 1530). The only church that has no name by definition is the Catholic Church (Catholic means “universal” and it‘s how Christians referred to themselves in the early days of Christ’s founded Church). God please forgive us for our distortions of the Truth !!

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 5:18pm

      Wayner
      Posted on June 19, 2011 at 7:31pm
      No matter what some perverted church leaders say,,,,, there is nowhere in the Bible that man is given the authority to change God’s decrees. He says homosexuality is an abomination. As a matter of fact he says that “anyone who adds to or takes away from his word , that man (or woman) is cursed”
      _______________________________________
      Lets also shut down the tattoo parlors, textile mills that create cloth of more than one kind of fabric, open up the slave markets again and bring back stoning. All of the above is either an abomination or a remedy for such. The Bible supports honor killings shoul dwe make that legal for Christians?

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 6:47pm

      there it is again,,,,ENCINOM talking out of their arse again. Can you smell it??

      Report Post »  
    • thinkinghuman
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:32am

      Don’t accept it. Its all morally wrong. Homosexuality should be repented for and those so engaged should turn away from it.

      Report Post » thinkinghuman  
    • khurley77
      Posted on June 21, 2011 at 3:19pm

      The Church is not to conform to the World and all its latest ideas of right and wrong. The World should conform itself to the church, not the reverse. If the Church becomes a reflection of culture, then it becomes an affirmation of anything anyone wants it to be, and when life in the world’s got ya down, where would you go?

      Report Post » khurley77  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 2:53am

      JZS,
      “But you choose to claim that, unlike shaving, or eating shellfish, that homsexuality is bad and marriage worse.”
      ============
      Homosexuality and Gay marriage is worse and you know it. So stop playing your stupid childish games.

      This country needs a HERO not a ZERO. Help us convince Allen West to run for president http://www.AMillionGoWest.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 3:00am

      DTOM_Jericho (escaped PA)
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:06am
      ===========================
      Wow, you are one twisted character. And no, that’s not a compliment.

      http://www.AMillionGoWest.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
1 2 3 ... 7

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love