Leaders of the United Methodist Church–the third largest Christian denomination in the United States–have announced a major schism. The church will divide into two new denominations in a split over LGBTQ inclusion.
Acceptance of queer people has long caused a rift within Methodism, with growing numbers of churchgoers supporting the ordination of gay clergy and performing of same-sex marriages. A heated conference last year failed to resolve the growing conflict, when a resolution to allow same-sex marriages and clergy was narrowly defeated in a final vote.
Now a group of 16 bishops has offered a plan to effectively split the church–and its funds–over a four year period. The divide will create two new denominations: a “traditionalist” group, which will still oppose any acceptance of queer people, and a more progressive branch, set to begin ordaining and marrying LGBTQ people.
“The potential seems strong that the separation proposal can end or at least greatly reduce the denomination’s decades-long struggle over how accepting to be of homosexuality,” the church said in a statement.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Though the plan has preliminary approval from church leadership, it will need to face a vote in a church conference this May. At present, the United Methodist Church is one of only a handful of non-evangelical protestant denominations to continue to oppose the acceptance of queer people.
Charlie in Charge
I mean, they are protestants so splitting over ideological differences is a part of their history.
Vince
I really want to care but I just can’t summon any fux to give. 🙂
shigellosis
amen
Jbaltes
I couldn’t agree more! Religion truly is the root of all evil! The atrocities that continue to be committed in the name of religion are sickening!
Cam
The entire reason for the existence of the “Traditional” Methodist church, is bigotry. Have fun losing all of your younger members in the next few decades.
Thad
As a Methodist (until my church closed!) I’m intrigued by this split. Methodists were ecumenical; the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church happened in my lifetime. “That all may be one” is getting a kick in the pants.
Desertmuscle8
I guess we Thads all are a bit editorial and irreverent!
Mack
As a former Methodist, I think the “anti-LGBTQ” segment will become more like the Southern Baptist while the “pro-LGBTQ” will become more like the Episcopal Church. What’s so sad about all this bullshit is Christ was about love and acceptance and yet most “Churches” are anything BUT that.
Desertmuscle8
Thank you Mack!..what a simple and true statment. Remember, the Christians are to blame in the killings of more innocent folks than any war or famine. The Inquisition, the Reformation, the fukn nonsence of old men trying to control the population by fear, lies, stories and gibberish.
I have to mention this small interaction with my idiot niece.: My mother was dying and my neice and nephew from my younger (deceased) brother flew into the Bay Area to pay respects. As my brother was driving them to the airporter I sat in the back seat with my niece. I tried to make plesant small talk (after I had taken a zanax) and stated ‘ well when Grandma passes, maybe she can get Mark (their father) and our great grandmother and father and my mom to play canasta or bridge and have fun once again. as they enjoyed. I know this was a bit sophmoric but, I just was trying to make the silence palatable.
My brilliantly stupid niece replied ” oh, no uncle Thad, they are going to be
“PRAISING AND GIVING ACCOLADES TO JESUS”! Now I am not a theologist but, I truly have never heard that nor read that statement in the Bible, Koran or Books of Mormon and Budda! So Christian Niecey, you are truly delusional..GET HELP:)
Hel
Splitters!
Ryan99
If only the imaginary man in the sky would speak up and tell people what he wanted!
Chipper
Jbaltes… sorry you are wrong, the root of all evil is the LOVE OF MONEY. Religion may get close, but you are very wrong.
Ryan99 there is no imaginary man in the sky, He is not a man, He is God. And thru His word, he has. Its just people like, that are so blind, they do not want to see what is before them.
GayEGO
I see you used the male gender with God, how do you know what gender God is, God could be all genders, after all, God created all of us.
GayEGO
This must be the United Methodist Church’s “method” of advancing to this century, keep the Traditional in the past and the Progressive in the future.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
These anti-Gay smcubag zealots pull obscure passages from the Bible including that disgusting closeted puddle of puke Leviticus to “justify” their repugnant noxious hatred.
Here in quotation marks is EVERYTHING Jesus said about Gays:
” “
Chrisk
Yep. Jesus had nothing to say about LGBT people, but he had plenty to say about self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Self-appointed “gatekeepers’’ into the kingdom of heaven should read Matthew 7:5 carefully. “First take the log out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.’’
Brian
What this article doesn’t make clear is that the group splintering off from the church is the group that is against same sex marriage. Currently the church’s position is that they are fine with it.