Comments on: Encroachment of liberal gay politics within Methodist Church http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/ News Analysis and Commentary Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:56:30 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Daniel Downs http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-2110 Daniel Downs Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:40:35 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2110 Are you not being judgmental about the statement? I grew up in a daughter church of Methodism. If Methodists are in fact Christians, then it is the immoral and liberals within the M Church who are assaulting Methodism, which was based on the Bible and John Wesley teachings. Are you not being judgmental about the statement?

I grew up in a daughter church of Methodism. If Methodists are in fact Christians, then it is the immoral and liberals within the M Church who are assaulting Methodism, which was based on the Bible and John Wesley teachings.

]]> By: gettheconcept http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-2109 gettheconcept Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:28:56 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2109 "The tragedy today is that 45% of Methodists do not represent the Lord or God’s kingdom." I find this statement to be rather an assaultive statment toward toward Methodism and judgemental. “The tragedy today is that 45% of Methodists do not represent the Lord or God’s kingdom.” I find this statement to be rather an assaultive statment toward toward Methodism and judgemental.

]]> By: Lars http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-1989 Lars Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:12:46 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-1989 I am SADDENED this continues, I am a church organist for 42 years and a "closeted gay man" who has a wonderful boyfriend in another state. I can NEVER come out, my family would probably be understanding but my church in Extreme Western Kentucky would not be that welcoming I am afraid. So VERY, VERY sad! I am SADDENED this continues, I am a church organist for 42 years and a “closeted gay man” who has a wonderful boyfriend in another state. I can NEVER come out, my family would probably be understanding but my church in Extreme Western Kentucky would not be that welcoming I am afraid. So VERY, VERY sad!

]]> By: Daniel Downs http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-1746 Daniel Downs Sat, 24 May 2008 14:02:48 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-1746 Steve: I don't agree with you, but I appreciate your reading and commenting on this long post. As a starting pointing, modern liberalism pervades the views of many in and out of the church. Modern liberalism also pervades politics and theology. Words like extremist (almost as terrible as fundamentalist) and moderates reveal a political view. I see what you call extremism as non-compromise; there is another political term that also has been used for something like apostasy. The unity of Church will never be accepted by the Lord of the Church if it reflects anything other than God's word and His will. Again, God has made His position clear on the issue of homosexuals. Maybe it is too extreme. The eternal reward for compromise will be very extreme as well. If the word of God and its plain meaning is not good enough for people in the Church, they should leave and start their own religion and quit pretending to be of Jesus and God. Steve: I don’t agree with you, but I appreciate your reading and commenting on this long post. As a starting pointing, modern liberalism pervades the views of many in and out of the church. Modern liberalism also pervades politics and theology. Words like extremist (almost as terrible as fundamentalist) and moderates reveal a political view. I see what you call extremism as non-compromise; there is another political term that also has been used for something like apostasy. The unity of Church will never be accepted by the Lord of the Church if it reflects anything other than God’s word and His will. Again, God has made His position clear on the issue of homosexuals. Maybe it is too extreme. The eternal reward for compromise will be very extreme as well. If the word of God and its plain meaning is not good enough for people in the Church, they should leave and start their own religion and quit pretending to be of Jesus and God.

]]> By: Steve http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-1745 Steve Sat, 24 May 2008 06:40:54 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-1745 Having said the above, I want to add that I think you are right about one thing ... the whole debate is fueled by politics in our culture. Just try to understand that 80% of us are in the middle trying to do the right thing while extremists fire legislative missiles at each other. We moderates have a voice but you do not seem to see that, you see it as black and white. There are lots of shades of gray. Having said the above, I want to add that I think you are right about one thing … the whole debate is fueled by politics in our culture. Just try to understand that 80% of us are in the middle trying to do the right thing while extremists fire legislative missiles at each other. We moderates have a voice but you do not seem to see that, you see it as black and white. There are lots of shades of gray.

]]> By: Steve http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/encroachment-of-liberal-gay-politics-within-methodist-church/#comment-1744 Steve Sat, 24 May 2008 06:37:32 +0000 http://thestateofamerica.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-1744 I appreciate your desire for holiness, but you are overstating the case as an extremist. I was at General Conference, and though I could not vote as an alternate, I was aware that the 45% were not subsumed by gay liberal politics. The reason this vote was closer than others, such as gay marriage and ordination, is that many moderates simply believe and could affirm that "we are not of one mind." In other words, I felt both petitions on the floor were true. Personally, I would have voted with the majority to preserve the historic integrity of the church, but you need to know your extremist views will not bring unity in the United Methodist Church. Perhaps you might try to understand how moderates feel and what we believe rather than thinking in dualistic, us-and-then terms. I appreciate your desire for holiness, but you are overstating the case as an extremist. I was at General Conference, and though I could not vote as an alternate, I was aware that the 45% were not subsumed by gay liberal politics. The reason this vote was closer than others, such as gay marriage and ordination, is that many moderates simply believe and could affirm that “we are not of one mind.” In other words, I felt both petitions on the floor were true. Personally, I would have voted with the majority to preserve the historic integrity of the church, but you need to know your extremist views will not bring unity in the United Methodist Church. Perhaps you might try to understand how moderates feel and what we believe rather than thinking in dualistic, us-and-then terms.

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