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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
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Note 2910 by SUSAN PEEK on April 25, 1996 at 10:25 Eastern (4427 characters).

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048 {2912}                                          April 24, 1996

General Conference '96

United Methodists Hold
Line on Homosexuality

     DENVER (UMNS) -- An attempt to soften the United Methodist
Church's 24-year-old proscription against homosexual practice  was
defeated April 24 by a 378-577 vote of the 1996 General
Conference.

     Delegates to the denomination's top legislative assembly
rejected a proposal to change the assertion that homosexuality is
"incompatible with Christian teaching" with the acknowledgment
that United Methodists are "unable to arrive at a common mind" on
the subject.

     The defeated proposal is almost identical to one at the 1992
General Conference.  During that session, a four-year study
committee also asked delegates to add the "not of a common mind"
phrase, but that proposal failed.  

     With the April 24 action, the current language in The Book of
Discipline (church law) stands.  That clause reads in part: 
"Although we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and
consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we
affirm that God's grace is available to all."

     The incompatibility clause first entered the church's lexicon
at the 1972 General Conference.

     During the impassioned, 90-minute debate on the subject,
supporters of the failed proposed change called the church to
"humility."  The Rev. Merlin Ackerson, who presented the proposal,
said, "Some of us think that homosexuality is incompatible with
Christian teaching; others think it is acceptable in covenantal
relationship.  This is who we are."

     He urged delegates to accept the Church and Society
committee's recommendation to adopt language that would admit that
ambiguity.

       "This statement will help to eliminate and lessen
condemnation and adversarial relationship and ... will prevent
people from using what the church says as a reason for
discrimination and violence against homosexuality."

     However, the Rev. David Seamands, a retired seminary
professor from Nokomis, Fla., -- presenting a "minority" report
that called for retention of the "incompatibility" clause -- said
changing the language would be a rejection of "a basic, bottom-
line, biblical stance."  He also claimed that to condone
homosexual practice would be to "reject the biblical standards for
all sexual behavior," including that for heterosexuals.

     "The biblical standard (condemning homosexual practice) is
objective and unambiguous," said Seamands.  "It defines
intercourse as acceptable only in heterosexual, monogamous
relationships."

     Along with Seamands, delegates opposing the change cited
biblical prohibitions from the Old Testament.  The Rev. Mpanga
Ngeleka of Zaire, citing Leviticus 18:22, said, "We cannot be
divided on the issue of homosexuality.  Just as we help people who
use drugs and alcohol, we can try to help heal homosexuals, but
the Bible is clear: it is wrong."

     During the debate, several attempts were made to strengthen
the majority report (to include the "not of a common mind" phrase)
or soften the minority report (to retain the "incompatibility"
language).  The Rev. Duane V. Sarazin, Minneapolis, suggested an
amendment that read, "Although the majority of United Methodists
do not condone the practice of homosexuality, we ... are unable to
arrive at a common mind ... "

     But laywoman Nancy Duel of Arlington Heights, Ill., rejected
the idea of "saying which side is the majority and which is the
minority."  Such language "defeats the purpose" of claiming a
spirit of humility and reconciliation, she said.

     Ackerson added that Jesus himself never spoke on
homosexuality in the Bible, but called the church to preach God's
grace.

     "When I'm confused about what the Bible might say, I seek the
spirit of Christ, and Christ motivates us to accept all persons
for whom he died. Christ loved and embraced all people," he added
during a later press conference.  "The church should
do no less."

     Delegates will consider other legislation related to
homosexuality later during the conference, including a proposal to
augment the ban on ordaining "self-avowed practicing homosexuals.

                              #  #  #

                                             -- M. Garlinda Burton

     

     
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