Indiana GOP Threaten Clergy With Jail Time For Performing LGBT Marriages

Here is some news that should make those who cherish religious freedom nervous:

In what appears to be a rather massive violation of the freedom of religion, the Republican party in Indiana appears to have amended the state criminal code to either make it a crime, or confirm that it remain a crime, for clergy to conduct weddings for gay couples.

While it is not widely known, numerous mainstream American religions permit gay nuptials. The faiths include reform Judaism, Evangelical Lutherans, Episcopalians, and the United Church of Christ, among others.

Yep, the Indiana GOP has decided that they will tell religious groups in their state what they can and cannot do in their own places of worship.

This is a massive violation of the 1st amendment, and the principle of freedom of religion. If a religious group wants to perform a religious act marrying two men or women, that should be no business for anyone but that place of worship. This is government meddling where it doesn't need to be. No matter what your opinion on gay marriage, it should make you nervous as a person of faith that the Indiana Republican legislature feels that they have the authority to do this kind of thing.

This is the distinction I feel a lot of conservatives fail to make on the issue of gay marriage: what a church does or doesn't do is their own business. Just because gay marriage may be legal in a state doesn't mean anyone will force your church to perform gay marriages. Nor should a church be prevented from performing gay marriages if they so choose.

Don't expect this to hold up in a court. And don't be surprised if we don't see more of this kind of thing as the push for gay rights becomes closer and closer to a done deal.

The Methodist Inquistion Claims Another

The modern-day inquisition continues.

Just weeks after the defrocking of Rev. Frank Schaefer of Pennsylvania, the United Methodist Church in New York has begun proceeding against the Rev. Thomas Ogletree for presiding over the marriage of his gay son.

Ogletree is a retired elder, as well as former Yale Divinity School Dean. The wedding in question happened in 2012, in New York, where gay marriage is legal. Ogletree put out a statement, saying:

"It is a shame that the church is choosing to prosecute me for this act of love, which is entirely in keeping with my ordination vows to 'seek peace, justice, and freedom for all people' and with Methodism's historic commitment to inclusive ministry embodied in its slogan 'open hearts, open minds, open doors.'"

Rev. Ogletree's actions were brought to the New York conference's attention by a group of Methodist ministers, after they saw a wedding announcement in the New York Times celebrating the couple's new marriage.

It's terribly sad to see this kind of witch hunt happening in the UMC again. As I wrote last week, this does not present the church in the light of Christ's love and radical acceptance. It's comforting to know that the church is evolving fairly quickly on this issue, but sad that it is not happening fast enough to protect good ministers who have dedicated their lives to the church.

LGBT Rights Get a Victory in Oklahoma!

Human rights took a huge step forward in Oklahoma today.

A federal judge struck down the state's ban on gay marriage, saying it violated the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment:

Kern called Oklahoma's ban "an arbitrary, irrational exclusion of just one class of Oklahoma citizens from a governmental benefit," declaring:
"Equal protection is at the very heart of our legal system and central to our consent to be governed. It is not a scarce commodity to be meted out begrudgingly or in short portions."

 The judge ordered a stay on gay marriage in Oklahoma until the Supreme Court rules on Utah's ban this year, but nevertheless, this is a big win for justice and love.

I lived in Oklahoma for four years, until this last summer, and I can tell you from experience, it is one of the most socially conservative places in the country. However, Oklahoma City is a cultured young city with a thriving LGBT community. The Pride Parade is one of the great events in the city every year. It is great to know that all those wonderful men and women can celebrate some real progress in their state.

After all, Oklahoma is the home of Sally Kern.

The country is moving forward, and Oklahoma is now part of that.

Morality vs. Theology: Some Thoughts on Rev. Frank Schaefer and Gay Marriage in the UMC

Question: how do you think the church should act in the world if the goal is to follow Jesus' command to love others as God loves us? What does this look like in action?

You know what it doesn't look like? This:

United Methodist church officials defrocked a pastor from central Pennsylvania on Thursday who violated religious doctrine by officiating his son's gay wedding, and he later said he was shocked by their decision, calling his involvement in the wedding an "act of love."

Rev. Frank Schafer, in 2007, traveled to Massachusetts from his home in Pennsylvania to marry his gay son and his partner. This was no problem until this year, when a congregant at his church found out and informed the East Pennsylvania Annual Conference. Who decided that Rev. Schaefer should no longer be a Methodist minister. Despite the fact that the Revered was out of state at a private ceremony, and was following the moral dictates of his own heart.

I posted an article the other day on Facebook about Phil Robertson. This point is made in that article that I absolutely think sums up Rev. Schaefer's case:

When faced with the choice between being theologically correct…as if this is even possible…and being morally responsible, I’ll go with morally responsible every time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian during World War II. He firmly held the theological position of nonviolence. He believed that complete pacifism was theologically correct. And yet, in the midst of the war, he conspired to assassinate Adolf Hitler; to kill a fellow man. Why? Because in light of what he saw happening to the Jews around him by the Nazis, he felt that it would be morally irresponsible not to. Between the assassination of Hitler and nonviolence, he felt the greater sin would be nonviolence.

I love that first line. "When faced with the choice between being theologically correct and being morally responsible, I'll go with morally responsible every time." If, as a Christian, we feel called to accept the LGBT community, and to affirm their life and their love, then we are morally obligated to do so. To do anything less would to be morally compromised and untrue to ourselves.

The other part of this story that really jumps out at me is this quote from Rev. Schaefer:

"So many of them came to me and they shook my hand and some hugged me, and so many of them had tears in their eyes," Schaefer said. "They said, 'We really don't want to do this, you know that, don't you?'"

Tony Campolo, in his book Red Letter Christians, tells the story of a young man from an Anabaptist Peace church during the Vietnam War who is brought before a court for refusing military service. He explains before the judge his moral opposition to warfare, and why, as a pacifist, he cannot perform military service. The judge listens sympathetically and tells the young man he understands his concerns and sympathizes, but he has no alternative to sentencing him. The young man looks at him and says, "You do have choice, Judge! You can resign!" Maybe the Board of Ordination should read this story. Maybe then they could help the church move towards the Kingdom, rather than away from it.

For more information on the gay rights movement within the UMC, I strongly suggest you check out Reconciling Ministries. It's a great resource, and on the forefront of the future of the Methodist church.

Today's Good News About Gay Marriage

Lost in all the debate today over Phil Robertson's comments is this wonderful news:

The New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously affirmed on Thursday the right of same-sex partners to marry in the state, reasoning that the “protections and responsibilities that result from the marital relationship shall apply equally” to them and to opposite-sex couples.

Hallejuah!