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Methodists Review Case of Gay Man Barred from Church

Associated Press
Thursday Jul 29, 2010
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The highest court in the United Methodist Church will review its 2005 ruling that allowed a clergyman to bar a noncelibate gay man from joining a congregation.

The Judicial Council will take up the issue when it convenes Wednesday, Oct. 27, through, Saturday, Oct. 30, in New Orleans, according to United Methodist News Service.

The ruling five years ago came in the case of the Rev. Ed Johnson, who was senior pastor at South Hill United Methodist Church in Virginia. He had refused to allow a gay man, who said he was not celibate, to become a member of the congregation. Like many other Christian groups, Methodists are divided over how to interpret what the Bible says about same-sex relationships.

At the time, the Judicial Council effectively ruled for Johnson. The court said a pastor in charge of a local church has the authority to decide whether a layman is ready for membership.

Three other regional church districts - Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Arkansas Annual Conferences - are now asking the high court to reconsider. The Judicial Council includes some newly elected members who were not on the court when the 2005 ruling was made.

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Comments

  • Anonymous, 2010-07-29 09:29:33

    why would any self respecting gay person want to belong to a hateful,bigoted,non-inclusive church anyways? Tellm to go eff themselves and stuff their buy-bulls where the sun dont shine.


  • Anonymous, 2010-07-29 10:02:23

    I applaud the man who walked into that church and who has walked with this case this far. It is only through the courage of people like him that prejudice can be ferreted out and social acceptance becomes the norm. I challenge the Methodists, and all Christians, to consider what it is to love one’s neighbor. I know South Hill, VA, and self-respecting Methodists must know what goes on in small Southern towns that promote hate.


  • Anonymous, 2010-07-30 00:43:39

    Actually, the Methodists are not a hostile religion. I grant that they are not progressive, and that some areas are worse then others. And there is a number of ministers who would do gay marriage religious ceremonies, but their top level "book of discipline" forbids it. The mainstream evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian USA, Episcopal, UCC, UU, MCC, American Baptists etc and Jewish reform are supportive. The next one to follow Jesus commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself is the Methodist church I even know a gay couple who regularly attend methodist church, although their religious marriage was done in a presbyterian church. So rather then shit on the Methodists, lets go try and join them if this is your desire. That is how things will move along. And join the website "church within a church" and support it. The voice of gay liberation in the United Methocist church. I’m not at all religious, but IMHO the solution to bigotry against gay people will be found in the more progressive churches.


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