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United Methodists and sexuality

DEAR EDITOR:

Last month’s General Conference in St. Louis produced concern among United Methodist Ministers. This conference speaks officially for 12.6 million-member-worldwide denomination, voting to affirm a “long-held policy that the practice of homosexuality conflicts with church teaching.” Decisions were made to “strengthen bans against same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.”

Why this uproar against policies traced back to scriptural or Bible roots of John Wesley, 18th century founder of Methodism? The Bible’s position on marriage and sexuality was clear then and now. God has spoken, but evidently there’s aggression to change rules.

Like any denomination, the United Methodist Church has problems. Having attended Methodist college, I witnessed some serious teaching conflicting with Holy Scripture. While there has been an ongoing remnant of strong Bible believers, the Scriptural base of Wesley has progressively declined; the long line of spirit-filled, fiery Methodist preachers, in America at least, has all but faded into history. Sadly, this description can be leveled at any large denomination today.

The analogy is likened to the left-winged political advocates who would trash the U.S. Constitution where it counters their liberal agenda. This has resulted in political correctness with emphasis on touchy-feely rather than facts. The liberal religious counterpart denied Bible teachings, substituting a perverted concept of man and God who made him. Thus, we have religious correctness, rejecting the Biblical definition of marriage between man and woman (Gen. 2:24). To make it anything else defies Scripture, believed by Wesley as God’s infallible word.

For a Methodist minister to propagate false teaching of same-sex marriage is rebellion against divine order. God made a man and a woman to establish family and procreate (Gen. 1:26-28). To promote transgenderism is ludicrous and cruel; it rejects God-given identity. If I can change gender, then why can’t I change my race, DNA, etc.? This fallacy leads to utter confusion, depression and potential suicide. This message promotes rejection and hopelessness. That’s why the church, not government, should be God’s hospital where sinful, benighted souls are saved through the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re a Methodist or any other minister and can’t embrace your ordination vows, then give it up. Stop leading sheep astray with heretical teaching. The political and educational corruption in America rages with horrific consequences, but religious apostasy is far more serious and destructive since eternal souls are at stake. If the church no longer proclaims Biblical truth, where do we go for spiritual help?

Someone said, “As the church goes, so goes the world.” To deny or water-down the Judeo-Christian faith is to undermine the solid foundation upon which our nation was established. Sadly, this is happening before our eyes.

WILLIAM J. FINNIGAN

Warren

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