Methodists Tackle Homosexuality Issue

The United Methodist Church is planning a series of “dialogues” on the divisive issue of homosexuality.

Last year’s General Conference meeting saw more than 200 people arrested in protests over the issue. After the turbulent meeting, delegates voted to ask the church’s ecumenical and Christian unity division to sponsor a series of discussions relating to the homosexuality debate. That agency has asked for $200,000 to launch the discussions.

Church policy upheld at last year’s meeting affirms the “sacred worth” of gays and lesbians but calls the practice of homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The 8.4-million-member church bans gay clergy and will not bless same-sex unions.

The church says it will try to find ways members can coexist despite deep divisions on the issue, in addition to exploring such issues as church authority, individual conscience and affirming homosexuals without endorsing homosexuality itself.