Friday, March 26, 2004
People at both the Plainfield & Elizabeth Housing Authorities have been really good; supportive, professional, encouraging, pushing the paper along. & Betty, my housing counselor from psych rehab, is a great advocate - experienced, even-handed, positive, leaving nothing to chance if she can have any influence in the matter. This is what I was looking & hoping for when I got out of hospital last December, & it's gone better & faster than I ever expected. Betty might even arrange a van & a helper for the move. This woman does not want any of her people going homeless. I may not be out of here on the first of the month, but Elizabeth Housing is speeding up the required inspection. I could use an extra day or two to get ready - I've hardly begun to pick up & pack - just not being sure of when & how was enough to feed the procrastination.
A jury of 13 United Methodist Church clergy unanimously acquitted the Rev. Karen Dammann of charges springing from her own admission that she was a lesbian in a committed relationship. This would seem to run counter to UMC denominational "law," but I believe such a law is unjust & unChristian: "Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." What has this to do with the spirit & application of Christian agape - it has to be strongly challenged at every opportunity. This was a great opportunity for challenge because the trial occurred in the liberal Pacific Northwest UMC Conference. The time for change is here. No surprise, of course, that the most negative responses to the verdict come from clergy in what prior to 1939 was the Methodist Church South. The Methodist Church split in 1844 over the issue of slavery & the power of the bishops. Some Methodists believe the reunion was premature. A congregation is not required to accept a minister it does not want. Karen Dammann's church wants her.
No church so committed by its founders & traditions to the advancement of social justice can long exempt itself from the very justice it promotes.
The UMC is hardly in the forefront of gay rights. The church's statements are highly contradictory, prohibiting "funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality," & yet allowing the use of church money to study homophobia. & writing into the Church Social Principles: "Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation: Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals." (Social Principles, Par. 66H) Although it seems to me that former homosexuals (I never met any, personally) aren't especially subject to coercion & marginization.
Interfaith Working Group
Add YOUR comments here
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson
A jury of 13 United Methodist Church clergy unanimously acquitted the Rev. Karen Dammann of charges springing from her own admission that she was a lesbian in a committed relationship. This would seem to run counter to UMC denominational "law," but I believe such a law is unjust & unChristian: "Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." What has this to do with the spirit & application of Christian agape - it has to be strongly challenged at every opportunity. This was a great opportunity for challenge because the trial occurred in the liberal Pacific Northwest UMC Conference. The time for change is here. No surprise, of course, that the most negative responses to the verdict come from clergy in what prior to 1939 was the Methodist Church South. The Methodist Church split in 1844 over the issue of slavery & the power of the bishops. Some Methodists believe the reunion was premature. A congregation is not required to accept a minister it does not want. Karen Dammann's church wants her.
No church so committed by its founders & traditions to the advancement of social justice can long exempt itself from the very justice it promotes.
The UMC is hardly in the forefront of gay rights. The church's statements are highly contradictory, prohibiting "funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality," & yet allowing the use of church money to study homophobia. & writing into the Church Social Principles: "Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation: Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals." (Social Principles, Par. 66H) Although it seems to me that former homosexuals (I never met any, personally) aren't especially subject to coercion & marginization.
Interfaith Working Group
Add YOUR comments here
