Discrimination and hate speech in the UMC ... Rev Shaefer speaks..........

[dimbear]

http://ideas.time.com/2013/11/22/discrimination-and-hate-speech-in-the-united-methodist-church/
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When I addressed the jurors at my trial by the United Methodist Church on Nov. 19, 2013, they had already found me guilty of violating church law by performing a same-sex wedding for my son Tim in 2007. The hearing that day was for the purpose of finding an appropriate penalty. In a moment of total honesty, I shared with the jury that I would continue to be an advocate of LGBT persons, and asked the Church to stop treating them as “second-class Christians.”

Here’s why: The United Methodist Church does welcome gay and lesbians to be a part of the church; they can become full members, they can serve on church councils and become involved in all aspects of a local church’s lay ministry. And that’s great, until we realize that they are not entitled to certain ministries and opportunities that are available for everybody else, such as having their marriage blessed by the church. “Practicing” gay and lesbian believers are also prohibited from becoming licensed and ordained pastors.
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dimbear: I usually recommend the comments too, but these are pretty depressing. The article itself is very spot on.