United Methodism

Now that I’ve completed the “Social Principles of the United Methodist Church”, here is a summary of the positions the religion takes on social (not religious) issues:

The Natural World – I was pleased to see this was the very first subject mentioned in the book. As you can imagine, the Methodist stance is that God created all things and therefore all things deserve respect and care including our water, air, soil, minerals, plants, energy resources, animal life, and space (all specifically referenced in detail). Special mention was made that food safety should be encouraged with proper handling and labeling.

Family- marriage and the ideal of raising children with a mother and father is held in high regard. Divorce is stated as an unfortunate byproduct of society and while counceling is encouraged, the Church recognizes that permanent separation is sometimes necessary. All divorced persons are to be supported and can marry again in the Methodist church.

Gender- women and men are equal. Though not mentioned in this book, women are open to be religious leaders, including pastors.

Human Sexuality- a) This book is very candid that sexuality is “God’s good gift to all persons” and their official stance on extra-marital activity is that “sex is only clearly affirmed in the marriage bond.” b) As you can imagine, they are strongly against violence, harassment, abuse, pornography, exploitation, and trafficking of anything sexually related. c) Homosexuality is not condoned in the Methodist fait and they consider the practice of it “incompatible with Christian teaching.” HOWEVER, God’s grace is available to all persons and they will not reject or condemn any gay or lesbian persons. Note that there is an openly lesbian bishop in the Church that has been accepted and continues to hold her stature.

Abortion- “Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify and abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection. We oppose the use of late-term abortion… and call for the end of this practice except within the physical life of the mother is in danger and no other medical procedure is available, or in the case of severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life.” They also make special mention that they are called to minister and support women and men whose lives have been touched by this difficult decision.

Dying Persons- In summary, they support the individual’s decision to proceed with medical treatments or the decision not to. Suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia are opposed, as is the condemnation of the victims and families of suicide. No mention of the deceased’s “permission” to enter heaven is mentioned.

Differences- people of different cultures, handicaps, races, ages, religions, genders, and sexual orientation are to be respected. There are separate sections that call out the good that both rural and urban life can bring.

Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol- not good.

Birth Control – All methods, including voluntary sterilization are supported. Interestingly enough, they justify this by talking about the strain on “the world’s supply of food, minerals and water and sharpening international tensions.”

Science- Highly respected. This includes voluntary medical experimentation, organ donation, treatment and research of AIDS (and support of those inflicted).

Politics- an average sized paragraph affirming that state and church should be separate. Another note that it is the responsibility of elected officials to protect those they’ve sworn to serve.

Education – Highly supported with 2 call-outs that persons deserve sex education. Continued learning throughout life is encouraged.

Death Penalty – Though they recognize that in America over 2/3 of the community support the death penalty, the Church feels that to do so prohibits any chance of rehabilitation and that the sanctity of life in general is not valued in the action.

War- The church respects those that have chosen to be pacifists, however, they are realistic enough to recognize that some times war is an unfortunate necessity. They only support war after all other peaceful means of resolution have been attempted and failed. Further, they state that the goal of war should be peace and not destruction.