UCC Synod recommends no changes on same-gender marriage stance

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Two years after becoming the first major denomination to support same-gender marriage equality, the UCC General Synod took no action on Tuesday, June 26, on a pair of resolutions meant to revisit, and in one case overturn, the action.

In hearings prior to the decision, Ginger Brasher Cunningham of the Massachusetts Conference said a majority of her committee assigned to review the measures "could not affirm" the actions, saying the discussion among members was "hard and seasoned with mixed emotions" though all members were "faith filled and with generous hearts."

"A Reaffirmation of the Historic and Ecumenical Christian Perspective on Marriage" recalled the historical and ecumenical tradition which holds marriage as "a God-ordained relationship between one man and one woman." It also asked that the UCC "reaffirm the ultimate authority of Scripture" and acknowledge the "error" when General Synod 25 stated "it is not possible to rely exclusively on scripture for understanding marriage today."

The resolution "A Reaffirmation of Marriage Based on the Word of God" asked the General Synod to reverse its action taken in Atlanta in 2005 when it endorsed equal marriage rights for all.

In taking "no action," Synod delegates declined to discuss the resolutions.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Marriage & Family • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Sexuality Debate (Other denominations and faiths)

8 Comments
Posted June 26, 2007 at 6:37 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Kendall Harmon wrote:

Though the resolutions were not discussed, the idea of no discussion generated considerable debate.

I know this was not intended, but I found this quite funny.  A discussion about having no discussion.  Only at a church meeting…

June 26, 6:46 pm | [comment link]
2. Irenaeus wrote:

The revisionist ratches turns only one way. When revisionists win, the process ends. End of debate.

June 26, 7:52 pm | [comment link]
3. Irenaeus wrote:

#2 should read:

The revisionist RATCHET turns only one way. When revisionists win, the process ends. The conversation is complete. The dialogue is done.

June 26, 8:01 pm | [comment link]
4. Irenaeus wrote:

How did the survey questions refer to organized religion? (The term “organized religion” is and always has been pejorative.) The phrasing of the question is relevant to what inferences we can draw from the polling results. Thus, for example, the Southern Baptist Convention is just as “organized” and just as much an “institution” as the United Church of Christ.

Irenaeus, did you mean this for this thread or the Gallup poll thread on “organized religion” a few posts below?

June 26, 8:10 pm | [comment link]
5. Bob from Boone wrote:

No surprise here.

June 26, 10:30 pm | [comment link]
6. MargaretG wrote:

  “Although we claim to be inclusive, we are still uncomfortable with those who are different,” said William Thwing of the Penn West Conference who spoke against taking no action. “We are rapidly becoming a church that is monolithic and one dimensional.”

Couldn’t have put it better myself. Indeed !!

June 27, 12:50 am | [comment link]
7. Marty the Baptist wrote:

Ahh the language of propaganda!

... support same-gender marriage equality

Are two apples equal to one orange and one apple?  How can two men “equal” a man and a woman?

...we are still uncomfortable with those who are different

That’s about as fair a definition of homosexuality as I’ve ever read.

As for me, I’ll take diversity!

June 27, 12:43 pm | [comment link]
8. Kevin Maney+ wrote:

If this course remains unchanged, then UCC dooms itself to extinction. Very sad.

June 27, 11:33 pm | [comment link]
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