Two years after becoming the first major denomination to support same-gender marriage equality, the UCC General Synod took no action on Tuesday, June 26, on a pair of resolutions meant to revisit, and in one case overturn, the action.
In hearings prior to the decision, Ginger Brasher Cunningham of the Massachusetts Conference said a majority of her committee assigned to review the measures “could not affirm” the actions, saying the discussion among members was “hard and seasoned with mixed emotions” though all members were “faith filled and with generous hearts.”
“A Reaffirmation of the Historic and Ecumenical Christian Perspective on Marriage” recalled the historical and ecumenical tradition which holds marriage as “a God-ordained relationship between one man and one woman.” It also asked that the UCC “reaffirm the ultimate authority of Scripture” and acknowledge the “error” when General Synod 25 stated “it is not possible to rely exclusively on scripture for understanding marriage today.”
The resolution “A Reaffirmation of Marriage Based on the Word of God” asked the General Synod to reverse its action taken in Atlanta in 2005 when it endorsed equal marriage rights for all.
In taking “no action,” Synod delegates declined to discuss the resolutions.
I know this was not intended, but I found this quite funny. A discussion about having no discussion. Only at a church meeting…
The revisionist ratches turns only one way. When revisionists win, the process ends. End of debate.
#2 should read:
The revisionist RATCHET turns only one way. When revisionists win, the process ends. The conversation is complete. The dialogue is done.
How did the survey questions refer to organized religion? (The term “organized religion” is and always has been pejorative.) The phrasing of the question is relevant to what inferences we can draw from the polling results. Thus, for example, the Southern Baptist Convention is just as “organized” and just as much an “institution” as the United Church of Christ.
Irenaeus, did you mean this for this thread or the Gallup poll thread on “organized religion” a few posts below?
No surprise here.
[blockquote] “Although we claim to be inclusive, we are still uncomfortable with those who are different,” said William Thwing of the Penn West Conference who spoke against taking no action. “We are rapidly becoming a church that is monolithic and one dimensional.” [/blockquote]
Couldn’t have put it better myself. Indeed !!
Ahh the language of propaganda!
… support same-gender marriage equality
Are two apples equal to one orange and one apple? How can two men “equal” a man and a woman?
…we are still uncomfortable with those who are different
That’s about as fair a definition of homosexuality as I’ve ever read.
As for me, I’ll take diversity!
If this course remains unchanged, then UCC dooms itself to extinction. Very sad.