United Church of Christ Debates Marriage Equality
There is a big conversation going on in the United Church of Christ about same sex marriage. The issue will be on the agenda of the liberal Protestant denomination’s biennial conference in Atlanta in July. As might be expected, some are for it, some aren’t, and some want to study the issue. As might also be expected, some people have strong views on the subject and are likely to leave the historic church. Some already have.
(And yes, the UCC is that church — the one that produced the God is Still Speaking ads that were rejected last year in a frenzy of censorship by NBC and CBS.)
The renowned Pastordan, the unofficial pastor of The Daily Kos and other precincts around the blogosphere — and a UCC minister — has published a detailed report on the UCC’s internal debate at BooMan Tribune. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the politics of same sex marriage.
“…if the “pro” resolution passes,” writes Pastordan, “it will cost the UCC in division and lost revenue for the national church…. What can you do?”
“Well, if you’re not a member of a UCC church, not much right now. We’re not a terribly hierarchical denomination; a letter-writing campaign pressuring the higher-ups will probably get you a lot of sympathy and agreement, but it’s up to the body to vote on this. You could toss the national church a few bucks, or write and let them know that you’d think about joining a mega-cool denomination that approved of SSM, but I ain’t telling you to.”
“No, for right now, just keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and get those itchy typing fingers ready for this summer. ‘Cause you know that every right-wing loon and his Senate sockpuppet is going to be denouncing us as Exhibit 1A in the decline and fall of the American Empire… “
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The real tragedy is that the UCC, as inheritor of the Congregational Way practiced by the Pilgrims (those of the Mayflower), will lose credibility and any chance to influence the discussion about the intent and beliefs of the founding fathers. The duplicity of the neo-christian false claim to authority on the christianist principles of the writers of the constitution will only continue to gain strength.
Any opportunity to use any public attention that may be drawn to the UCC as an opportunity to speak out on this issue is imperative. . . .
rchaffee
28 May 05 at 11:14 am