Views of the News That You May Not Hear Elsewhere
May 2, 2008
(Updated Weekly)
United Methodists Meet in Fort Worth
The United Methodist General Conference, which convenes every four years, is meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 22 to May 2 to discuss over 1,500 petitions that have been proposed by those seeking change in church structures and policies. One topic that has been hotly debated at each recent conference is the Church's position on homosexuality. A search of the official conference Web site shows that 56 of the petitions being discussed this week either deal with or mention homosexuality. Currently, the official position of the United Methodist Church is that the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." Some petitions propose to strengthen that view while others hope to bring flexibility to the policy.
For example, petition #80454 would like the church to adopt a statement saying that the practice of homosexuality is not "necessarily incompatible with Christian teaching if practiced in committed monogamous relationships." Another petition proposes that "homosexuality is on a continuum of sexuality and therefore [should] be seen in the natural God-made way for human life." A petition dealing with the sanctity of marriage affirms the "personal commitment and shared fidelity between two adult persons, [and that] God's blessing rests upon such marriage."
Many of the proposed petitions attempt to undergird the traditional view of the church opposing the practice of homosexuality. Petition #80030, for example, states that any clergy or lay person who consistently tries to overturn the wording of the traditional statement on homosexuality would not be fit for appointment or for membership. Another petition states that United Methodist funds should not be given to any gay caucus or group, and that church funds should not be used to promote the acceptance of homosexuality or provide domestic partner benefits.
The conference Web site also lists 17 petitions that deal with transgenderism. Rev. Karen Booth, who heads up "Transforming Congregations," an organization that ministers to "sexually confused, sinful and broken people," believes that the church should minister to transgender people, but leadership should not be an option for them.
According to the 2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, the United Methodist Church has 7,995,456 members and is the third largest denomination in the United States, behind only the Catholic Church with over 67 million members and the Southern Baptist Convention with over 16 million members.
'Millennials' Show Respect for Traditional Values
Results from a survey by the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency show that twentysomethings really do show a lot of respect for traditional values — contrary to today's media portrayal.
The data found that 94 percent respect parenthood and 84 percent have great esteem for marriage. Just a quarter said they respect Hollywood. Spokeswoman for the agency Ann Mack said that she was surprised by the findings. "It could be because they are more idealistic as a generation," she said, "but it could [also] be because they are so young and not yet jaded."
But Mark Johnson, who works with B2G (better2gether), a ministry of the Navigators for twentysomethings, believes the younger generation is reacting to something. "At least half of them that we see have come out of some kind of dysfunctional or broken home," he said. "They are wanting something more or better than what they have come from."
Encouraged by the numbers reflected in the survey results, Steve Watters, director of young adults at Focus on the Family, said he is looking for ways to tap into that potential through Focus' Boundless ministry to twentysomethings. "It's something we want to encourage as much as possible, he said, "realizing that they are not going to find that kind of support from Hollywood or Madison Avenue."
The News at a Glance
• Florida Specialty License Plate
Florida drivers can now order more than 100 specialty license plates — everything from manatees to the Miami Heat. The state legislature is now considering a plate that would explicitly promote a specific religion. The design would include a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words "I believe." If the plate is approved, Florida would become the first state to have a license plate featuring a religious symbol that's not part of a college logo, according to breitbart.com.
• Court Rules T-shirt Must Be Allowed
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's ruling, saying the district court must order a Naperville (Ill.) high school to suspend its ban on a T-shirt that reads "Be Happy, Not Gay" while the student's lawsuit proceeds. School officials had prohibited student Alex Nuxoll from wearing the clothing, reported lifesitenews.com.
"Christian students shouldn't be discriminated against for expressing their beliefs," said Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum, who is representing the student. "Public school officials cannot censor a message expressing one viewpoint on homosexual behavior and then at the same time allow messages that express another viewpoint. The court's ruling is a victory for all students seeking to protect their First Amendment rights on a school campus."
• "Poisonous Liberalism"
J.I. Packer, 81, who was named one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in the world by Time magazine in 2005, quit the Canadian arm of the global Anglican Communion with 10 other B.C. Anglican clergy last week. His stated reason: "Poisonous liberalism" in the church body, according to christianpost.com. The group joined the more conservative and orthodox Province of the Southern Cone in South America.
• Presbyterian Minister Ruled Not Guilty
The highest court of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has found that California minister Rev. Jane Spahr did not violate denominational law when she officiated at the weddings of two lesbian couples. The church's high court found that the ceremonies that Spahr performed were not marriages, so she did not violate the church's constitution. The court reiterated the church's position that Presbyterian ministers can bless same-sex unions as long as the ceremonies don't too closely mimic traditional weddings — since the church constitution defines marriage as between one man and one woman.
• All 50 Governors Issued NDP Proclamations
All 50 state governors, and the Virgin Islands, signed proclamations — which publicly designated yesterday as the day for Americans to unite in prayer — for the 57th annual National Day of Prayer (May 1), confirmed the NDP Task Force. Michael Calhoun, NDP manager of strategic partnerships, said this is noteworthy because it is optional for governors to sign a proclamation.
Different Drumbeats
• Bees Have a Soul Too!?
Religious beekeeper Slobodan Jeftic has built all his hives in the shapes of Orthodox churches and monasteries because "bees have a soul too," reports Ananova.com.
The 58-year-old Serbian, from Stari Kostolac, said: "By doing this, I am bringing together the two great loves of my life, beekeeping and my religion. It means that, as well as taking care of my bees so that they have a place to live and make their honey, I am also taking care of their souls."
• Swiss Government Grants Rights to Animals and Plants
Under a new law passed by the Swiss parliament last week, dog owners will be required to complete a canine treatment course, anglers must take classes on humane fishing and goldfish may no longer be flushed down the toilet. The government's ethics committee is also considering "plant dignity" rights to protect plant life — all of this from the same country that violates human dignity with legalized physician-assisted suicide and abortion, according to CitizenLink.org.
Wesley Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, said this is what happens when people lose their understanding of the sanctity of human life. "This is the same country that has a constitutional right to assisted suicide for the mentally ill. Where is the 'creature dignity' in that?"
Leading Candidates' Positions
The following table provides a comparative summary of where the leading candidates (listed alphabetically) stand on some pertinent issues in the campaign:
|
Abortion |
Defense of Marriage |
Stem Cell Research |
Taxes |
Immigration |
Hillary Clinton
(D)
|
Supports
Medicaid-funded abortions. |
Opposes
U.S. Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman. |
Supports
therapeutic cloning, embryo-destructive research. |
Opposes
repeal of federal estate (death) tax. |
Opposes
legislative initiatives that emphasize border security over all other forms of immigration reform. |
John McCain
(R)
|
Opposes
Medicaid-funded abortions. Supports
federal parental notification law. |
Opposes
U.S. Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman, but he would veto any bill that would weaken any provision of the federal DOMA. |
Supports
adult stem cell research, embryo-destructive research and using umbilical cord blood banks. |
Supports
repeal of the federal estate (death) tax. |
Opposes
legislative initiatives that emphasize border security over all other forms of immigration reform. |
Barack Obama
(D)
|
Supports
Medicaid-funded abortions. |
Opposes
U.S. Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman, and would support repeal of certain DOMA provisions. |
Supports
therapeutic cloning, embryo-destructive research. |
Opposes
repeal of federal estate (death) tax. |
Opposes
legislative initiatives that emphasize border security over all other forms of immigration reform. |
| FRCAction.org offers a more in-depth look at the candidates' stands on issues. For videos of the candidates themselves, visit CitizenLink.org/content/a000006338.cfm. |
The above is excerpted with permission from Focus on the Family's "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" dated May 2, 2008 ©2008 Focus on the Family
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