Questionnaire 1: Question 10 and General Summary

There were a couple of comments that homosexual people outside the church were very kind and nice people.  Some felt that the church should aim to promote monogamous and loving relationships whatever the sexuality – and stand against promiscuous behaviour.  Some said that the church should recognise the changes in society more.  One person said that they’d be quite happy if theirs was a homosexual minister – as long as they did their job well.

Some said it must be awful for homosexual people to come to terms with their sexuality, especially if they are forced to conform, and the church should not add to this, but help.  One person believed that channelling sexuality into same sex relationships was a healthy way of doing so, and may reduce child abuse.

One person graphically described homosexuality, concluding that it is more likely to pass on aids.  Another said that allowing this endangers the physical health of the nation.

One commented that all people should be respected, but feared that people are seeking new thrills all the time.  Many of those who were against homosexuality said that they should or would not drive people away, but would not make the effort to welcome homosexual people, and that they should not be allowed in positions of authority, especially working with young people or children.  Whilst one also said that they worried about young people, and another saying Christians should stand up and be counted against these wrong doings.  One person said ‘love the person, hate the sin.’  One person said that if the Methodist Church agrees to allow homosexuals into the ministry they would resign their membership.

One person said that generally young people don’t have a problem, but the older ones do, so give it 20 years and homosexuals will be embraced.  One person commented that people change their views when around leaders, and called them hypocrites.  There were some people who commented that their viewpoint had changed, and may change in the future.  Another person said they were confused about how society can allow this when the Bible says it is wrong, and another said they found it hard to comprehend.  One person said that it would create a chasm in Methodism that will not heal.

It’s hard to categorise all the questionnaires and answers.  Some people who have generally answered no have still emphasised positive points about welcoming homosexuals, sometime a ‘no’ is not because they disagree, but because they think it may cause trouble within the church, or they have certain reservations.

Although there is diversity there are some common responses that need to be highlighted.  Generally there are 45 questionnaires that have a welcoming attitude towards homosexual people, this may not necessarily be into all areas of leadership within Methodism (question 6 shows a more realistic number for this), or that they agree with same-sex relationships, but they would have a welcoming attitude, whilst 24 have shown attitudes of almost complete dismissal of the church associating with homosexual people.

There are 14 questionnaires that refer to the Bible or passages within the Bible.  There are 12 questionnaires that affirm God made humanity male and female, and marriage is between male and female.  There were 8 questionnaires that believed same-sex relationships threaten marriage and family life.  6 people expressed that unions and marriage were for procreation.  5 people specifically mentioned homosexual practise.  2 people mentioned HIV/AIDS.  10 people made reference to child abuse and young people being influenced.