Why is the Tea Party Targeting the Methodist Church?

[Joanne98]

Tea Party Nation's Judson Phillips puts United Methodist Church in his crosshairs.

In 1983, when folks at the Institute for Religion and Democracy helped convince producers at CBS' "60 Minutes" to run a segment on the National Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church, the world changed dramatically for all three organizations.

The NCC and UMC were blindsided; treated to an old-fashioned television mugging. While they were taking heat, the Washington, D.C.-based IRD's profile soared in conservative circles.

Now, nearly three decades later, Tea Party Nation's Judson Phillips has put the United Methodist Church in his crosshairs.


http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/1/4/1145/25053

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Wow. This is the first time in my life

that I have had any sort of urge to join a church. If I could swallow the theology, I'd go out & sign up as a Methodist, except the local bunch don't seem to be any variety of fire-breathing radicals.

[Ineeda]

2. their official slogan tells much....

'Open minds, open hearts, open doors' IOW: they're accepting of a diverse membership, the antithesis of teabaggers.

[murielm99]

5. The United Methodist Church has not yet entered

the twenty-first century when it comes to GLBT people. I know many pastors and delegates to annual conference who have tried to change this. It has not happened yet.

At this point, it really depends on the congregation. My church has quite a few lesbian couples who are well accepted by the church members. Some of them grew up in the church. Some of them have joined because they know that most of our members will be non-judgmental.

I don't know why this works for us, but I am proud that it does. This is a small farming community. But we do have a gay community in our town that seems to be well accepted. Again, most of the people grew up here.

Honestly, I think people here care more about one's work ethic than their sexual orientation. I have been in this community for thirty-two years. I have noticed that the highest compliment one can be paid is, "He/she works hard." It does not seem to matter if the person is a field hand or a CEO. Work is valued.

I remember that "60 Minutes" segment, even though it was a long time ago. I remember it because there was another segment that shocked me. It featured my town, and was filled with lies and half-truths. We received a lot of negative publicity and some of our officials had to go into hiding because of death threats. I think the show about our town played a week before the one about the National Council of Churches. I was attending a Brethren church at the time. I remember how angry out pastor was. He and I discussed both segments. He knew the show was filled with lies. After those two shows, I did not watch 60 Minutes" for many years. I decided that if these two segments could be so wrong, what about the rest of the show? It lost all credibility for me.

[colorado_ufo]

6. The United Church of Christ

is far ahead on the GLBT issue - very, very progressive. They encourage and welcome everyone. The United Methodists are great folks, though!

[glinda]

3. Because he wants everyone to become Evangelicals?

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Because

The Methodists like the UU's and UCer's believe strongly in Social Justice. That's the crux of his dislike.