Will the Real United Methodist Church Please Stand Up?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, June 25, 2007
- Viewed 42
- (0) comments so far
Over the past two decades, the two U.S. regions where Methodists are least accepting of homosexuality are the two regions where the church’s U.S. membership figures are most healthy. The three regions most accepting of homosexuality, meanwhile, have seen sharp drops in membership. The fastest growth of all is happening in the United Methodist Church in Africa—another area where homosexuality is viewed as incompatible with Christian teaching.
To see the report in its entirety, click here.
According to the Bible Belt Blogger, The United Methodist Church's motto is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." But the denomination's theological mindset is sharply different, depending on which part of the country you visit. A new "State of the Church" report, released this week, shows sharp regional differences among United Methodists -- especially on the issue of homosexuality. In the Southeast -- the only U.S. region where the church is growing -- 67 percent of Methodists agree with church doctrine that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." In the West -- where the church is rapidly shrinking -- only 26 percent support the church's teaching on homosexuality. Methodists in the Northeast and North Central U.S. (where membership has fallen sharply) are about evenly divided on the issue. Methodists in the South Central U.S. (where membership declines have been less pronounced) favor the church's stand 55 percent to 38 percent. If the polling is correct, it suggests that opponents of historic church teachings on homosexuality face an uphill battle in the 8 million-member U.S. denomination...
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.
Post a Comment