| Ordaining gays will collapse church The United Methodist Church has ruled that Karen Dammann, a self-avowed practicing homosexual from Bothell, Wash., who just last month married her partner of nine years, is in good standing with the church and is available for new assignments. I do not know if those 13 pastors are denying the word of God or if they do not believe the word of God could be true. Could it be fear that has kept them from doing what God has called them to do? Could it be these 13 pastors were influenced by church people or United Methodist leaders? I am a lay speaker and teacher in the church. Leaders in the denomination are forcing me to support a homosexual pastor that is not ordained by God according to the Scriptures. As a Christian, I want to welcome all people to attend a Bible-believing church so they will be exposed to the true Word of God. I do not believe that the ministry should be open to anyone involved in immoral activities. Ordaining homosexuals to the clergy as our spiritual leaders will cause the church to collapse. As a father, grandfather and great grandfather, I do not want this type of moral decay to influence the next generation. If United Methodist leaders dont correct this problem soon, my family and many other families will be leaving the church. John Haines Sr.
Flintstone UMC, Flintstone Discerning Gods intent on homosexuality As a denomination, we are struggling with the role of self-avowed, practicing homosexual clergypersons. Our Book of Discipline has more than one stance on the subject, as was demonstrated in the Karen Dammann verdict. The argument seems to be gradually moving from the idea that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice to laying it on Gods doorstep as creation. If this is true, then many homosexuals may feel that God would not deny them the right to fulfill their desires. Based upon this thinking, it would seem that the biblical prohibitions against homosexuality are either wrong or outdated. Systematic theology teaches seminarians to connect statements of faith consistently together. A systematic approach to sexual prohibitions and Gods creation in the Bible might proceed from the question, Does Gods creation of sexual orientation define Gods expectation for sexual practice? If the answer is no, then the prohibitions stand as written. But if the answer is yes, the implications would affect heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. The Dammann verdict has ruled effectively that sexuality supercedes biblical and disciplinary prohibitions. Heterosexuals are by no means created by God to have one partner for life. Is anyone trying to affirm heterosexuals as God created them to be sexually? Shouldnt self-avowed, practicing heterosexual clergypersons receive the same support for their created sexual orientation as do homosexuals? If everyone ignored Gods Word and acted as they perceive to be created, total anarchy would ensue, and God would receive the credit. Rev. Bob Hunter
Salem UMC, Sparks | 
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