In the Oct. 30 article, “Methodists affirm their ban on gay pastors,” we are reminded once again that intolerance is alive and well in the hierarchy of that denomination. This must be especially difficult for Methodists who believe judgment based on the individual essence of who we are is not in keeping with Jesus’ message of love and inclusion.
Perhaps it is not fair to single out the Methodists when so many Christian denominations and other faith communities are willing to cast out sexual minorities in their midst. The Rev. Mark Williams and Rev. Karen Dammann, who may lose their standing within the Methodist church for being honest about their sexual orientation, are only the most current reminder of the litigious nature of many of today’s religious communities.
It is very troubling to me that we all condemn the religious fanaticism that resulted in the events of Sept. 11, but fail to grasp the reality that it is this same bigotry in all faith communities that feeds the extremists among them. Every one of us should be tearing down the walls that separate us instead of building them, as this example from the United Methodist church demonstrates. Above all, we should not stand silently by when so many of our churches implement the practice of exclusion and elitism.
Marysville
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