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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
July/August 2004 |
Letters to the Editor
Editor's note
In the letters of Together's March issue, one submission expressed a negative opinion toward homosexual preachers and used an adjective repugnant to the gay and lesbian community and considered like a racial slur. It is not the intent of Together to demean any group within the church but to recognize the sacred worth of all people, therefore I apologize to readers who may have been offended and ask their forgiveness. Any phrase that may seem demeaning will be edited from any future published letters. The editorial goal of Together is to provide an open and honest Christian community forum without inflammatory rhetoric.
Daniel R. Gangler, editor
Not pleased with women's march
We are saddened and appalled at the article entitled "March for Women's Lives brings masses including United Methodists" in the May/June issue of Together. Learning that agencies of The United Methodist Church co-sponsored the March for Women's Lives (a rally with a decidedly pro-abortion agenda) is too much for us to tolerate. As of this morning, we have turned in our church keys and Annual Conference packet, and resigned our membership in The United Methodist Church.
Please understand that this decision to leave has not come quickly. We have had issues with United Methodism over the last few years and have felt that we could work through them. But we CANNOT tolerate our church hierarchy contributing in any way to organizations that promote the murder of unborn children. When this happens, it clearly shows that those in leadership are not reading or following God's Word. Somehow the commandment 'Thou shall not kill' has been lost. The words of the prophet Jeremiah 'before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you' have been tossed aside in favor of a worldly agenda of reproductive rights. We the church are called to not conform to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We will continue to pray for United Methodism, that God's Spirit and His leading will renew the Church's mind and replace worldly views and ideas. May you be a part of God's blessing to this world.
Bill and Sandi Balkovec
Kokomo, Ind.Did I read the article correctly in the May/June edition of Together? There were people marching under the United Methodist banner at an abortion rights rally? Not only that, but two groups with names containing "United Methodist" were sponsors of the rally.
First, we have the homosexual pastor issue; now the church is supporting abortion. What's next slot machines in the narthex at our local United Methodist Church? We are called to be in the world, not of the world? Looking at how we are presenting ourselves to the world, how would someone distinguish between The United Methodist Church and the ACLU?
I shudder to think how Jesus would view today's church. Would the saints from the first century church even recognize the church today? What would those who were martyred for their beliefs think about a United Methodist banner bearing an image of the cross being carried next to a banner that encourages mothers to consider choosing to kill their babies?
That page of Together had a very interesting juxtaposition. Right beside the article regarding the abortion rally was one bearing the headline, "Churches acknowledge inaction on Rwanda genocide." Inaction on Rwanda genocide; support for American genocide - at least we are being consistent.
Dave Williams
Bourbon, Ind.
What Jesus had to say
I am way beyond tired of the specious argument that maintains that since Jesus never specifically, by name, condemned homosexual practice, that therefore we are free to assume that he didn't think it was a sin. Well, here's a partial list of other issues that Jesus also had ZERO to say about, pro or con: labor unions; the "right to choose"; nuclear weapons; gambling; genocide; international law; abuse of prisoners; protecting the environment; democracy; NAFTA; gun ownership; public schools; fair housing laws; and, of course, where Taco Bell gets its tomatoes.
So why are so many of our fellow United Methodists so sure that they know what we should believe and do about these and other issues? After all, if Jesus did not specifically articulate an authoritative position on them, we surely can't just take traditional beliefs and codes of behavior - from the Bible, yet - and assume that one position is better than another, can we? Phooey.
Arthur W. Collins
Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Why not schism?
In the recent edition of Together, Daniel Gangler and others write that they 'pray schism will not occur' as a result of the Dammann trial and ongoing debate regarding The (United Methodist) Book of Discipline and homosexuality.
Why not allow schism? Do we regret the schism caused by Martin Luther and hundreds of other pastors against the church of Rome? Are we sorry for the schism of John Wesley from the Church of England? It seems no one today is that brave.
If certain United Methodists do not want to abide by The Book of Discipline, they are free to do so. They are also free to leave this denomination as opposed to constantly trying to force unpopular changes upon the majority of United Methodists. We teach our children: if you don't like the rules of baseball, try another game. Makes sense to me.
Rob Beachler
Noblesville, Ind.
God's wonders to fulfill
Ah, it's true: "God worked in mysterious ways, God's wonders to fulfill!" Or was it just an aberration built into Robert's Rules of Order? Or really the result of beliefs held with more heat than light? Whatever!
By vigorously debating and then voting down the motion to add the words ".faithful Christians disagree on the compatibility of homosexual practice with Christian teaching." the (General) Conference itself demonstrated the truth of the wording that the majority rejected. The elected representatives of (United) Methodist Christians do, in fact, "disagree."
Was it an aberration? Was it heated beliefs pressed without light? Or God's mysterious way? Ah, in faith, I vote for "God works in mysterious ways." - even at a General Conference of The United Methodist Church!
Oops! Perhaps some in the majority (thought and continue to think they) were the only "faithful" Christians at General Conference.
Henry L. Gerner
Indianapolis
Guide for all Christians
While the Book of Discipline is the guide for the United Methodist Church, The Holy Bible is the Guide for ALL Christians. How can the "Gay" Preacher read and preach on the Bible knowing that he or she is not living up to what it says?
Enough with all of our secular rules! Let's get back to what we should be about. Loving the sinner and despising the sin. Thank you.
Dave Beamer
Lapel, Ind.
Thanks for your support
I thank God for the people who took time to write letters and emails to me during the time leading up to General Conference. Your thoughtful, timely messages prove that we have a church worth the effort that goes into General Conference. I especially appreciate the words of encouragement and promises of prayer for me, the entire delegation and the proceedings at General Conference. I want to let those who wrote know that your messages were prayerfully considered. I am only sorry that I could not respond personally to each one.
Paula Shrock
Greentown, Ind.
NIC Lay Delegate to General Conference 2004
Struck by irony of open hands, open hearts
I was struck by the irony of actions taken at General Conference. To vote overwhelmingly for "Open Hands, Open Heart ." and then strike down the issue of gays as church leaders is appalling. I used to be so proud of my church and tell people that we welcome everyone. I guess pride does go before the fall. I wish we would spend as much time and energy on the real issues of poverty and abuse in our cities and towns as we are on the non-issue of a person's worth. We are all children of a loving God and are called to treat everyone that way. What is it we are so afraid of? Are church numbers more important to the hierarchy than people? We shouldn't be gatekeepers.
Karen Davis
Carmel , Ind.
Last updated on July 09, 2004