February 12, 2000

METHODISTS DROP GAY-MARRIAGE CASE AGAINST 68 CLERGY

Sacramento, Calif. --
     A United Methodist Church investigative committee has dismissed a rare formal complaint against 68 ministers who staged the largest mass disobedience in church history by officiating at a lesbian couple's “holy union” last year.
     It means the 68 clergy will not stand trial before a church court that could have stripped them of their ministerial credentials.
     “No further steps or actions will be pursued.”(Bishop Melvin G.) Talbert said.
     “Today's decision.... has effectively ended the rule of discipline,” said the Rev. Greg Smith, senior pastor of Hope United Methodist Church in Sacramento. “We have basically said that we now follow our own consciences.  It's a sad day that could lead to a division and even a breakup."

LA TIMES - WASHINGTON POST SERVICE

"DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT I HAVE COME TO BRING PEACE TO THE EARTH.
I DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE, BUT A SWORD.
FOR I HAVE COME TO TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER,
A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER,
A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW ----
A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD."
New International Bible - Matthew 10:24

IS IT NOT BETTER TO DIVIDE NOW THEN TO JOIN WITH THE IMMORAL AND
AND GO STRAIGHT TO HELL? EVERYONE HATES DIVISION, BUT IT IS
DIVISION THAT SETS PEOPLE APART UNTO ME - UNTO HOLINESS
IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
I WILL NOT STAND UP FOR YOU ON THAT LAST DAY

FATHER GOD


February 14, 2000

EPISCOPAL PANEL TAKES NO STAND ON SAME-SEX UNIONS

NEW YORK --
     In a long-awaited report, an Episcopal Church commission declined to
take a position on same-sex unions.
     If church leaders follow the report's recommendations, they will leave
in place an unofficial policy that lets individual dioceses decide whether to bless gay marriages.
     The report, to be released today, does not back either a liberal or conservative position on gay marriage, which has become increasingly common
in the Episcopal Church.
     “We are not ready, theologically or scientifically, to say a defining word about the life of homosexuals in the church,” said the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, whose recommendations will be discussed at the church's national convention in July.
     The commission suggested the church leadership “allow dioceses to find their own way in the matter,” a continuation of an unofficial church policy that has angered conservatives.

THE OREGONIAN

February 23, 2000

KINKY MANIFESTO MOLESTS RELIGION

Dr. Laura Schlessinger:  TALKING WITH DR. LAURA
     The Associated Press, USA Today and the New York Times carried the amazing story of 850 clergy and others involved in religious organizations who endorsed “A Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing.”
     Instigated by SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, the declaration effectively eliminates any consideration of morality from human sexuality. It calls on all faiths to bless same-sex couples; allow homosexuals and lesbians to be ministers; provide open access to abortion and sexual education; and oppose all forms of sexual oppression, including notions of marital status and the innocence of children....
     The so-called religious declaration states that “sexuality is God's life-giving and life-fulfilling gift.” I remember another declaration that invoked God. It said something about inalienable rights given by God. I don't remember that any of those rights included the right to same-sex sex -- or abortion, for that matter. I can't find that in the Bible, either.
     Why would the leading advocates for increasingly graphic sexual education and instruction 'to all ages' invoke God in their manifesto?  Because religion is the last bastion of morality in this humanistic society. Thus, it's a smart place to infiltrate.
     The declaration announces itself as a “faith-based commitment to sexual and reproductive rights, including.....abortion.” This absurd statement supposedly is aimed at counteracting the genuinely faith-based opposition to much of what the declaration embraces. The signers of this declaration represent 25 denominations, but according to AP, “nearly half are from the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association and Judaism's Reform and Reconstructionist branches.”
     I have to say I was embarrassed that Judaism is represented here. I asked my rabbi for a response.
He wrote:

Judaism has been very clear and consistent on the subject of homosexual activity for the past 3,311 years. Judaism is based on a divine constitution called the Torah, which leaves no room for misunderstanding of its position. One may choose to agree or disagree with Judaism's perspective on homosexuality, but one cannot confuse his own opinions with that of Judaism.
No rabbi or Jewish movement can call upon Judaism to bless same-sex couples
and allow gay and lesbian ministers. Only God speaks for Judaism.

AND MAY I SAY, ONLY I, GOD, SPEAK FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN
MY PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE
AND WHEN I SPEAK LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS
I DO NOT CHANGE
I DO NOT CHANGE
I DO NOT CHANGE
MAN SPEAKS FOR MAN
BUT I SPEAK FOR MY TRUE PEOPLE
IT'S ALL IN THE WORD

FATHER GOD

May 12, 2000

METHODISTS REAFFIRM ANTI-GAY TENETS

CLEVELAND---

     Rejecting pleas from demonstrators, United Methodist Church leaders on Thursday reaffirmed their opposition to same-sex behavior, ordination for active homosexuals and blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.
     The decisions are binding for the next four years for a denomination with 8.4 million U.S. members and 1.2 million overseas, raising the prospect of continuing disputes --- and church trials for dissenting clergy.
     Thursday's vote totals were 628 - 337 to maintain the stand that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” 640 - 317 on ordinations and 646 - 294 to forbid same-sex ceremonies.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRAVO, MY PEOPLE!
IT IS NOT EASY TO STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH,
BUT I WILL MAKE IT WORTH IT TO YOU
FOR YOU SEE THOSE WHO FALL BY THE WAY AND
EMBRACE LIFESTYLE PRACTICES INSTEAD OF MY TRUTH
IN MY WORD WILL SURELY SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL
IF THEY DO NOT REPENT
AND YOU, MY PEOPLE, OH WHAT I HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU!!!
THANK YOU FOR BEING MY AMBASSADORS OF THE TRUTH!
I STAND WITH YOU!

FATHER GOD