A group of 80 pastors and theologians of the United Methodist denomination signed a petition on June 6thto allow each church to decide for themselves what their stance is in gay marriage. The petition, called “A Way Forward,” was started because of major differences in many churches of the denomination.
The United Methodist Church, as a denomination, is supposed to follow guidelines set by the Book of Discipline, which forbids same sex marriage. However, this problem arose because many pastors have violated the ban and have married same sex couples.
“Some, believing the current policies of our denomination regarding homosexuals are unjust and do not reflect God’s will, call for a reversal of the language in the Book of Discipline restricting the rights of gay and lesbian people to marry or be ordained. Others suggest that if this were ever to happen, they would have no choice but to leave the denomination,” the petition text explains.
The petition has been arousing much debate. Many leaders argue that there needs to be a formal split because the differences are already deep.
In a statement, the 80 traditionalists explained, “If we are one church, we cannot act as if we are two. If, in reality, we are two churches, it may not be wise to pretend any longer that we are one.”
Some argue that there needs to be a compromise and that formally splitting the denomination will cause unnecessary and bigger conflicts.
In fact, on June 12, another group of more conservative members of the United Methodist Church wrote an open letter to the signers of the petition. In the letter, they stated, “But with all due respect, your proposal will only extend, localize, and exacerbate the acrimonious debate over the issue by forcing every congregation and annual conference to continue arguing about it for years to come.”
The letter goes on to say, “Your proposal would put us, who believe that same sex relations are sinful, in the position of having to deny our consciences. This new policy is simply asking us to do something we cannot do.”
Others are concerned as to why this issue has become the center of attention and causing such a difficult conflict. John Hill, a reverend and senior pastor of Suntree United Methodist Church in Melbourne, expressed this sentiment to USA Today.
“Others may feel different, but the real issues that Jesus called us to confront are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and not necessarily this issue. It’s maybe important but not essential.”
