Methodist ruling puts status of lesbian pastor in doubt | Seattle Times

[Ediacara]

Methodist ruling puts status of lesbian pastor in doubt

By Tan Vinh
Seattle Times staff reporter


DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The Rev. Karen Dammann, left, and her partner, Meredith
Savage, react to Dammann's acquittal in a church trial
in March.

The highest court of the United Methodist Church ruled yesterday that homosexual practices violate church laws, raising doubts once again about the status of a lesbian pastor from Ellensburg who already had been acquitted in a church trial.

The high court, known as the Judicial Council, now must determine the ramification of its ruling for the Rev. Karen Dammann.

At the United Methodist General Conference in Pittsburgh yesterday, conference administrators announced that the council, by Friday, will offer guidance on how its stance relates to the case of Dammann, who was acquitted in a church trial in March for being involved in a gay relationship.

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[SarahB]

1. I'm a Methodist

I grew up with a background in the Methodist and Catholic churches and several years ago, converted from being an "official" Catholic to an "official" Methodist. At the time, I found the Methodist church to overall be rather progressive and enlightened, in a moderate, but inherently Christian way. However as time passes, I'm finding a definite right swing in both my individual church and the the church as a whole over the past couple of years and it troubles me. Troubles me enough that I'm not sure if I can reconcile my more open, progressive views with the conservative direction I see.

Reading things like this troubles me further with questions as to the appropriate direction of faith as an individual. Not that that's a bad thing necessarily, but one in which can give further perspective.

Anyway, it's really a darn shame. It seemed like the Methodist church had been leaning in a better direction a few years ago. Makes me sad to see this direction.

[madrchsod]

4. i`m a life long methodist

and as a child i heard my minister rail against the catholic church in south america for "burning incense instead of feeding the poor" i was 8 at the time and 49 years later i still remember..i always thought the methodist were as a church that was forward looking but now i see that has stopped. i guess i`ll have to express my views to my church over this ruling...

[SarahB]

5. I wonder how much IS due to politics

With the current political environment of funding for "faith based" charities federally, and how the evangelical churches seem to get a greater percentage, I wonder if from a practical, fiscal standpoint, this is why the Methodist church is heading in this direction?

[ContraBass Black]

2. According to my Minister,

Everyone on any side is nervous about what will happen.

[Bill McBlueState]

3. lesbian and gay pastors

The Methodist church, like any large denomination, is full of gay and lesbian pastors. It's unfortunate that the ones who choose to be honest about themselves have to take all the abuse.