Okay, I Lied

I'm going to relate the homosexuality talks. I'll try to keep most of my ranting to a minimum in the actual entry and posting that stuff in comments. Mind you, that's not a guarantee.

We adopted a petition adding "sexual orientation" to the list of things we would not discriminate against in education. So gays can go to seminary. They can't be ordained yet, but they can be ordained. We had no discussion about this. I don't know if people were rushing to get done with some stuff, terrified of talking, or unaware of what was going on. But whatever. I'm in no way complaining.

Other non-debated legislation ensured that marriage is between a man and a woman and UM ministers may not perform civil unions.

I already mentioned that we passed the resolution speaking against violence and discrimination on account of gender identity/sexual orientation. A few "highlights" from the debate...
1. Some people were very careful and loving. Some were not. Someone did accuse homosexuality as coming from the Devil.
2. The speech that probably got the resolution passed in the end was a woman who spoke about her husband's cousin, who was beaten up and severely handicapped for ten years on his way home from work. The police ruled it a hate crime as a result of his being gay. She spoke very passionately and probably won the resolution...the vote was 60-40. One man also commented that this resolution was more about speaking against brutality than for homosexuality, and he believed that you could vote for this resolution and still be against homosexuality. Not sure which side he was really on...but I truly appreciated his speech either way.

Here's what is being proposed by the Church and Society Legislative Committee:
¶161 G) Human Sexuality. We recognize that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We believe persons may be fully human only when that gift is acknowledged and affirmed by themselves, the church, and society. We call all persons to the disciplined, responsible fulfillment of themselves, others, and society in the stewardship of this gift. We also recognize our limited understanding of this complex gift and encourage the medical, theological, and social science disciplines to combine in a determined effort to understand human sexuality more completely. United Methodists, along with other Christians, have struggled to find principles for applying traditional teachings to contemporary understandings of human sexuality.
We recognize that sexuality is part of the larger human mystery, to be received and acknowledged in grateful responsibility. We reject all sexual expressions that damage or destroy the humanity God has given us. We deplore all forms of the commercialization and exploitation of sexual relations, with their consequent cheapening and degradation of human personality. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation or use of children by adults and encourage efforts to hold perpetrators legally and financially responsible. We call for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for children thus abused. We believe that the Church family should support all families in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults. We challenge all members of our community of faith to commitment, integrity and fidelity in their sexual relationships.
We know that all are of God’s children and of sacred worth; ,and yet we have been, and remain, divided regarding homosexual expressions of human sexuality. Those who say we cannot condone homosexuality have a faithful witness. Faithful, thoughtful people who have grappled with this issue deeply disagree with one another; yet all seek a faithful witness. We continue to reason and pray together with faith and hope that the Holy Spirit will soon bring reconciliation to our community of faith. The fire in our disagreements points to a deeper human mystery than we knew. We believe that the Spirit has brought our collective conscience to acknowledge this mystery more honestly, and to make our claims with greater humility before God and our neighbors. We therefore ask the Church, United Methodist and others, and the world, to refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices until the Spirit leads us to new insight. In the meantime, let us seek to welcome, know, forgive, and love one another as Christ has accepted us, that God may be glorified through everything in our lives

That's what we have...I seriously doubt that's what will be passed. We'll see what happens! I pray that God will allow us all to be loving.