Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances
@wolfwoman <nods> My lesbian cousin (in-law) is the associate pastor in a UMC church in Michigan. It's an amazing divide. Some people aren't pleased that LGBTQ folk are accepted and extremely beside themselves having queer clergy.
@Graci Sad, but true. I sought out a reconciling UMC when we first moved here 7 years ago. There aren't many in MD
:(
Then my friend from there became part time pastor of a different UMC and I followed them there. They/he is queer and the congregation has folx of every type. I love it. But the church is definitely splitting, sadly.
@wolfwoman My cousin says she expects a full split in the future. While it's traumatic for members, people cannot be expected to restrict their own growth (social or spiritual) in lieu of politics.
@Graci @wolfwoman
My local UK Methodist church had a big split recently over this. Many of those who left ended up at my CofE church. Well, now we have a new, affirming vicar who is more than happy to bless LGBTQ+ unions. So I guess they're going to have to go elsewhere *again*.
Eventually, they'll have nowhere left to go.
Good.
@stueytheround @Graci
One of - if not THE - biggest problem with the UMC is how churches outside the US can self-determine in order to align with their cultural values. Churches in the US are not allowed to do so. So the choices are to separate or go on fighting indefinitely. 3 years ago, my pastor got called on the carpet for publicly stating she would (and then did) perform same-sex marriages. And it was all forward with us since then.
I'm happy to see unaffirming people go elsewhere!
@Graci @wolfwoman @stueytheround
I agree. The split will probably happen in the next couple of years.
Is Unitarian Universalist one of the most inclusive Christian sect in the USA?
Why would pro-inclusion folks be in a no-inclusion sect? Is it just that's how they were brought up?
@Priestess @wolfwoman @stueytheround @tyghebright In many cases, yes.
@Priestess @Graci @wolfwoman @stueytheround @tyghebright Most of the UU churches I know about are very inclusive. Some allow pagan groups to use their buildings for gatherings.
@LaurelGreen @Priestess @wolfwoman @stueytheround @tyghebright The trans support group I ran in the 90s met in a UU church. They were cool people.
@Graci @LaurelGreen @wolfwoman @stueytheround @tyghebright
Wow! Good for you!
@LaurelGreen @Graci @wolfwoman @stueytheround @tyghebright
Oh, that's cool to be so inclusive. 😍
@Priestess @Graci @stueytheround @tyghebright My childhood church was Methodist, before the UMC. I sampled some other faiths over the years. I'm in UMC now because I had learned of reconciling churches & knew that's what I needed. So in a way, it's a return to my childhood faith, but greatly improved by doing what John Wesley, our founder, said. And how he seemed to live his life.
The rules from Wesley, the founder of Methodism, are simple: "Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God." ✝️
@wolfwoman His brother wrote some darned fine songs, too! 😁
Have you had your heart strangely warmed recently?
@Priestess @Graci @tyghebright
@Graci Interesting article, thanks for sharing. I am a member of the "United" Methodist Church, which is very, very divided. My own church is affirming, and we are in the minority as we are welcoming of every one of God's beloved children.