Methodists to revisit 2005 ruling on gay member
The highest court in the United Methodist Church will review its 2005 ruling that allowed a clergyman to bar a noncelibate gay man from joining a congregation, the Associated Press reports.
The Judicial Council will take up the issue when it convenes in October in New Orleans, according to United Methodist News Service.
The ruling five years ago came in the case of the Rev. Ed Johnson, who was senior pastor at South Hill United Methodist Church in Virginia. He had refused to allow a gay man, who said he was not celibate, to become a member of the congregation. Like many other Christian groups, Methodists are divided over how to interpret what the Bible says about same-sex relationships.
At the time, the Judicial Council effectively ruled for Johnson. The court said a pastor in charge of a local church has the authority to decide whether a layman is ready for membership.
Three other regional church districts — Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Arkansas Annual Conferences — are now asking the high court to reconsider. The Judicial Council includes some newly elected members who were not on the court when the 2005 ruling was made.
Comments
"Rights" aside, I do ask why someone would want to be part of community that doesn't want him.
Posted by: BankStreet | July 28, 2010 4:37 PM
I don't know BankStreet, maybe just to prove a point, like the gay guy that sued E-Harmony.
Maybe it's Clay's ex???
Posted by: Dana | July 28, 2010 6:13 PM
Now...that's a real possibility.
The relationship may well have foundered on the Romanish/Papist practices of Methodism.
Posted by: BankStreet | July 28, 2010 8:22 PM
Yeah ... the e-Harmony suit always baffled me, as well. It's not as if the Gay community lacks on-line dating venues.
Although the early linkage between e-Harmony and Focus on the Family might have had something to do with it....
Posted by: BankStreet | July 28, 2010 8:27 PM
He went straight when he found out the man of his dreams was a Jesuit liberal who had worked with Cesar Chavez back in the day.
Posted by: Dana | July 28, 2010 9:58 PM