Boigotry is not supported. It is manmade.

Shouldnt it be you remain "A Christian" and "Adhering to God's Word" and NOT "remain a Methodist". There is something seriously wrong with your statement

I dont care. Ive walked away from all things abraham. The biggest issue in the last few years for me, the god damned feminists in the churches. I hate christians and despise american christians in all their bullshit fragmented forms. Castrated men and man hating women in the churches. . Some Holy Spirit all right. Nothing but deception and confusion.

In my book Jesus and His entrance into the world are the important thing about Christianity. It is a sign that love, charity, and acceptance are the way God thinks and the way God works! When you use the Bible to "beat people over the head", you are not doing things the way Jesus would do them. Jesus hated Pharisees because they felt ceremony was more important than people. He loved the humble publican! You are a "modern Pharisee" who sees the Bible as more important than people. Young people are leaving churches in droves because they recognize the hypocrisy that goes on in some churches.

Does the GMC support women as clergy?

@@willx9352 If they don't support women as clergy, they are a Middle Ages Church where God is our judge, not our Father.

The United Methodist Church has never been a fundamentalist church. We accept the Bible as the word of God, but biblical interpretation is complex.

You’re wrong sir. The only thing you have to do to be a Christian is to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. This hatred of gay people is immoral. If Jesus loved fallen women and people with leprosy then why not gay people. There is no place for believing in “history” over Jesus.

Yes, that's my understanding as well. The church has tried to make it all about that issue and nothing else. From what I see, they have simply ignored church doctrine or changed the interpretation to achieve the outcome desired by the progressives who are in charge. The church that my family has been part of, for almost 200 years chose to join the UMC about 45 years ago. In doing so they were convinced to allow the newly built church, separate fellowship hall, and older parsonage to be placed into a trust controlled by UMC. UMC paid nothing for this property. The members of the church paid for and had built a new parsonage a few years ago, and it was immediately required to be placed in this trust as well. But, now to remove itself from the UMC, our church has been told we must buy back this property for which UMC paid nothing, nor provided any funds to maintain it over the last 45 years. The people of our church find that payment demand distasteful however decided to go ahead with it. Now, the new demand is that we must also write a letter asking to be allowed to leave and why. But, the only acceptable letter would be one that ONLY states that we are leaving due to disagreement over church doctrine regarding gay issues. I was told this demand came from the bishop himself. No other reasons will be allowed to be on the letter nor will be accepted. I have family members buried in this cemetery as far back as 1735, including my parents, my grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, my wife and someday soon I guess myself. The disagreements in the end that will be highlighted, will be over gay issues only because the progressives within the church administration have chosen to make it that way. The District Superintendent is following their lead and selling it as such. We either accept the narrow demands of the progressives or lose control of the church that our families built.

The only reason to disaffiliate under 2553 is about the definition of human sexuality--Homosexuality. There is no issue about scriptural authority (one of the many lies circulating about the UMC). The issue relates to interpretation of Scripture. And it really could have been settled within the church if the extremist left and right had just stopped being so...extreme. And mean. And unloving.

@@flapjackluvr You’ve just characterized huge people-groups within our church as “Extremely mean unloving liars.” How exactly is name-calling helpful?

@@flapjackluvr lets be clear. They had a vote "within the church" and the vote was to leave things as they were. In my mind that is "settling within the church". The problem is that the vote and the outcome of that vote were just "lovingly ignored" and that tends to cause a problem. Decades ago, the local Methodist Church that I am a member of elected to join the UMC based on the "interpretation" of the scriptures as they were at that moment in time. If that "interpretation" changes or they have other issues with the UMC (which they do) why should they not be able to leave just as easily as they came in. Why do they have to sign ANY statement about why they choose to leave ? Why is that the UMC feels they alone have the sole power to dictate what the statement says ? Just how loving is that ?

@Dan Smith you are right: I should not have used those words. I apologize. For the record, I also get this riled up over extreme political behavior to the point I cannot even watch political news. Though I know it will not happen this side of Heaven, I would just like everyone to get along--even if we disagree with each other. Thank you for calling out my attitude.

There is more to this. The UMC did not enforce the ban. There were several churches that blatantly ignored it, even ordaining LGBT clergy, and nothing was done. There was supposed to be a vote to officially split, where churches would not have to buy their way out. Originally that vote was supposed to have been in 2020. Then pushed to 2021 for obvious reasons. Then it was pushed to 2022 for less clear reasons. Then it was pushed to 2024, after the existing disaffiliation agreement (where you buy your way out) would terminate. Like many Roman Catholic churches, there are some that blatantly disregard Roman Catholic teaching on many things, including same sex weddings and abortion.

Salam, Shlomo, Shalom, Peace. The Original Torah & Gospel Were In Aramaic, Thus The Word Heathen Is Incorrect, Should Be Polytheists & Atheists, Or Unbelievers. The Word Ummah Means The Pious Jews, Pious Christians And Pious Muslims, We Are The Abrahamic Family. The Gospel Of Barnabas Is Mostly Closer To The Quran's Version Of Jesus Son Of Mary, We Never Say Jesus Son Of God. Jesus Is Similar In Birth Of Adam, The First Man. Before Us Came These Scriptures God Sent: The Noah Family: Vedas [Hindu] Revealed In Sanskrit, Vedas Alone Is Monotheistic, With Many Verses Forbidding Idolatry. The Gurus Have Written Other Books, Leading Hindu's Into The Trinity And Mainstream Polytheism. Many Verses In Vedas Mentions Prophet Muhammad By Name. Avesta [Zoroastrian] Revealed In Sanskrit, Originally Monotheistic. The Clergy Added The Trinity And Polytheism. The Avesta Also Mentions Prophet Muhammad. Cannon [Buddhist] Revealed In Sanskrit, Buddha Said He Was A Prophet And Not To Be Worshipped. Translated Into Pali Akin To Judaism And Christianity From Aramaic. After Buddha Died, The Clergy Made An Aryan Buddha, Finishing On An Oriental Buddha. Buddha Mentions Prophet Muhammad.

Christian trying to understand how vain repetitions and grown men in mother Hubbard gowns is biblical

This issue is nowhere in the Bible. So you support stoning, too?

The Bible has much to say on this topic. Ever read for yourself?

They are already weakening the pro-life stance within the church. After the latest Supreme Court ruling, I received an outraged email from the UMC's society and justice committee. It read more like a political statement than anything from a church.

Don't worry, these dinosaurs are going extinct, and Christianity will be relegated to nursing homes in the next couple decades. Thank god!

Using the "Sodom and Gomorrah story" doesn't fit the argument. Those were corrupt gay people who lived lives of corruption. God, don't put gay people who don't live lives of corruption into this category. What about a religious gay person who never had a homosexual relationship in his life like me. I am gay, but I am religious!

Already happening. The communist liberal bishop of the N. GA conference banned churches from even leaving before she departed herself. These liberals will stop at nothing to destroy the UMC as it currently stands.

The point of religion is not to be judgmental and indict people because of a bible verse! A real Christian doesn't sit around assuming people are sinners because they read it in the Bible. Religion is about real people, not bible verses. Christianity is about helping people and showing love and charity, not assuming people are sinners because they admit to be born gay.

Those are mores of a primitive culture. So you are so perfect that you can judge others?

Only if you have studied each book of the Bible considering the author, the audience, the culture, Greek, and Hebrew. If you just read the Bible in English, you are really do not understand the Bible.

@@flapjackluvr That's not your place to say that. Mind your business and stop centering yourself.

@@ShannonsBibleStudy That's exactly what it is, all self-centering. It's not about God, Jesus, salvation, mercy, the end goal which is heaven. It's all self-affirmation, stay in your sin, God loves you no matter what, it's the tricks of Satan that will lead many to hell because of this.

People are more worried offending the LGBTQ, being cancelled, called bigot, transphobic/homophobic than loving and worshipping God. Ask the LGBTQ what they celebrate on Pride Month, its always about their perverted sexual lifestyle while mocking God is love all the time. They love themselves/sins more than they love God. Repent.

There is no reference there unless you listen to some bigot. Live and let live. You are imperfect, too.

It's strange that everything we're seeing with these "churches", is a direct inversion, or blasphemy, and what we're told NOT to do. That's the enemy right there, that's Satan at work invading these now facades of churches, and welcoming as many sinners as he can to lead them astray from the truth. Sadly, many have taken the bate and have given themselves over to debased minds. Romans 1:18-32

In what century are you living???

@@leoinsf "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. *And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression."* *1 Timothy 2:8-14* Likewise, there shouldn't be women pastors in the church. Doesn't matter if it's Protestant or not, it's God's Word that should be held to high authority above human laws and social justice. This has nothing to do with violating women's rights, it ALL has to do with "women of God" violating God's Law, further proving to us they aren't really Christians, false teachers who are deceiving and being deceived.

@@s3v3n3 A perfect example of a person quoting the bible to endorse a total lack of charity towards women. This is a complete degrading and demeaning reply that shows a. a lack of intelligence, b. a lack of Christian charity, c. a sexist ideation about women. You have one foot in Hades!

@@leoinsf It doesn't what Century. The Bible is the Bible. I suppose you also think it's ok to be gay and a christian

It is about different interpretations, just like other Scriptural topics on women, slavery, food, baptism, clothing, and more.

@@flapjackluvr No. Some issues are adiaphora, but homosexuality is not one of them. There is no liberty on same-sex relationships.

@rightsideofthegrass8114 If you will study the passages regarding same-sex practices mentioned in the Bible by the culture, author, audience, and original languages, you will find nothing condemning loving same sex relationships. As for whether or not two people are having sex, it is no one's business, nor can you assume that a couple is having sex at all. Not every married couple has sex, believe it or not. And it's kind of perverted to even insert yourself into others' lives in that area.

@@flapjackluvr "And it's kind of perverted to even insert yourself into others' lives in that area." God"s commands are an integral part of the Christians life - no area excluded. You provide no biblical citations for your "hands off" position. Those having sex is God's business; more important than what I think. If you try to reconfigure the Bible to history, then your faith is gutted because nothing is true. To believe in everything is to believe in nothing. If no sin, Jesus' work was for naught. "9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:9-11. See what God says NOT to love; "15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." 1 John 2:15-16. Same sex relationships are "lust of the flesh" This is indisputable.

@@rightsideofthegrass8114 It's amazing God added the "Do not be deceived" part. Knowing that it will still go right over people's heads. It shows accurately that people will not see past the deception of the Satanic lies they've adopted as God's truth. His Word is right in front of them, yet they just deny it because we are rebellious as sinners.

Jesus did voice His opinion on matters of sex and marriage. When asked about divorce, Jesus cited the Genesis creation account: “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Agreed. The church needs to stay out of married people's bedrooms. It's perverted to even ASK someone if they are having sex. I'm a little prudish, I know, but I do not discuss or even allude to my sex life and hate hearing others talk about theirs. It is no one else's business.

@@flapjackluvr Just for you to know that I am a gay person who has never had a gay relationship. This is due to my religious upbringing. I, in fact, chose to get married and brought 4 children into the world, but after 18 years, there was a divorce. You cannot force yourself into a relationship because our society refuses to accept reality: that gay people are born gay and this must be God's doing! I appreciate your acceptance and your charitable comments, but just know that in the Christian world, you are a minority!

Every sin before God must be condemned. Every sin. Not the sinner. The Church's instruction is to sin no more. No stones. But the instruction must be to stop. If God sees it as sinful, why should the Church see it differently? Man commits sins. Man must take action to confess and change. But, God's followers should never tell the world that their sinful behavior is acceptable to God. Satan loves the sinful behavior. It is a choice, however hard it is. No matter how impossible it seems. Sin no more. That alone sets the course. Who decides what is sinful? God. Who should sinners turn to and ask? God. Why turn to Man for God's law.

@@frpgplayer Your concept of "sin" and ultimately "religion" is from the Middle Ages (circa 1500)! Religion is not about sin! It is about people! Jesus' priority when on Earth was for people, not judgementalism and yet the so-called "Jesus" churches worry more about "sin" than "people." Meanwhile Jesus was all about love, charity, and acceptance (prostitute). Young people of today are leaving conventional churches because they know there is more to life than "avoiding sin" and they are finding churches stuck in the Middle Ages! Too many churches are guided by "Pharisees" who consider "ceremony" more important than "people" and we know what Jesus thought of the Pharisees!

@@frpgplayer Your comment shows that you live in the Middle Ages (circa 1500) when only priests were educated and people had no power against the Church. In that day God was our judge and everything was about avoiding sin and running off to a monastery or nunnery to avoid sin. Do you realize that you mention the word "sin" ten times in your writing? Sin is obviously a big thing to your religious viewpoint. In the Modern Age, young people are running from this "sin universe" because they understand that Jesus was all about love, charity, and acceptance. Christianity is Jesus and Jesus is love! What else is there to say???

I am sure you are working very hard to help those you mention

@@joer5627 I help all colored fingerless deaf and blind trans Ukrainians of color.

@@jasonfrost2487 Have a transgender beer of color and chill. 🍺

Damn, I want whatever good drugs you're on.