General Conference 2004

Pittsburgh, PA

General Conference upholds position against homosexuality

By Daniel R. Gangler

PITTSBURGH -- In daylong sessions on Tuesday consuming more than six hours of debates, the United Methodist General Conference here affirmed the denomination's present position against homosexuality, the ban on the ordination and appointment of self-proclaimed homosexuals and the ban of ordained ministers performing same-sex unions.

The conference decided 579 for and 376 against (60.6 to 39.4 percent) to maintain the present position on homosexuality declaring that "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." The conference also added new language to the Social Principles (paragraph 161 G) in The United Methodist Book of Discipline after the phrase "We affirm that God's grace is available to all" and added "and we seek to live together in Christian community."

The Rev. Eddie Fox, a noted evangelist and delegate who favored this legislation spoke in favor of retaining the existing ban on homosexuality, told reporters after the session that he was pleased with the decision. He said he believed people (other Christians) were looking up to us (as United Methodists) to prevent serious consequences. He said, "what we are doing today is very very important." He added that he believed the General Conference prevented a hemorrhage in the church.

He concluded, "we have a very clear statement and this is a statement of compassion."

The Rev. James Preston, a delegate and pastor at Rockford in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference, said he thought it was very important for the church to speak the truth, but the church does not speak the truth. "We will not speak the truth about who we are as United Methodists." He referred to proposed legislation that earlier was defeated which would have admitted that there are two opinions in The United Methodist Church on the issue of homosexuality.

Preston continued by saying that we are not a welcoming church. "Gays and lesbians are not welcomed." He concluded, "hemorrhage has already occurred. The church is bleeding today."

During the rest of the day, more than 20 petitions all dealing with homosexuality came to the floor of the conference. One by one, any attempt to make changes to the Book of Discipline on homosexuality were defeated. The church also maintains its ban on the ordination and appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" and a continued ban by ordained ministers performing same-sex unions. A 60-40 percent voting margin was maintained through much of this legislation. In a narrow vote, delegates added homosexuality as a chargeable offense for ordained ministers.

All deliberations were done with civil order. No demonstrations interrupted the business of the General Conference.