Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Iowa Supreme Court Decision

 

 

 "We do our very best to love persons whose words we disagree with."

 With these words Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble ended his statement on the historic decision by the Iowa Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the state law that prohibits homosexual marriage.

 How shall we respond?  I think these words by a seminary student in Ohio are instructive of the attitude we must have.  There will be many words spoken about this decision.  Some will be helpful, others will be divisive.  Even when the words are hurtful and difficult, we must try our very best to love each other.

 I would like to frame my statement around another sentence.  "For God so loved the world. . .  that he gave his only son." (Jn. 3;16)  There are no exceptions to God's love.  There are no footnotes about sexual orientation.  

 If God loves us and our brothers and sisters that much, it is not up to us to draw lines around who we will love and who we will not love.  God loves all people and so do we.

 The Book of Discipline teaches that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.  The Bible and the Discipline both list other things that are incompatible with Christian teaching, including, lying, stealing, adultery, wastefulness, greed, hatred, gabling, substance abuse, killing, judging and causing divisions in the body of Christ.  Even if we are guilty of one or more of these things listed as "incompatible" God loves us.

 The book of discipline also says, “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches”. (Paragraph 341.6)   While I am pastor here, we will not conduct homosexual marriages or unions.  That is our right under the principle of the separation of church and state and it is my obligation as a United Methodist pastor.

 You should know that while I agree it is wrong to discriminate against homosexuals, I believe marriage was instituted by God as a sacred covenant between one man, one woman and God. I, therefore, could not perform weddings for homosexual couples even if I had that opportunity.   The difficult issue of legal protection for this group needs to be solved without compromising God's sacred gift of marriage. 

 I pray that this statement becomes a getting on place for further dialogue about this sensitive subject.  Let's engage in loving and honest conversation that will help us to become even more loving as we struggle through this together.  I also pray taht you will take responsibility for your own faith and action.  Regardless of your personal position on this issue, speak to or write your legistators and pray for them as they sturggle with this issue on our behalf.

 

Terry

 

 

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