Questionnaire 1: Question 6 - No Responses

Should the Methodist Church recognise, affirm and celebrate the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men in the church?

‘I do not think it is right when it is not condoned in the Bible which is a basis and guide to our Christian faith.  Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.’

‘Sometime ago the Verger at *** was charged in the magistrate court with offences against choir boys.  Where there are young people about, heterosexual ministers are safer.’

‘Not in any official capacity.  It is contrary to the Bible’s teaching and also against, I believe, the true rules of nature.’

‘I do not think that practising gays (sodomites) or lesbians should have any office in the church.  I would not like to be ministered to by a practising lesbian or gay person as I believe it is contrary to the will of God as expressed in the Word of God in Romans chapter 1 verses 26-28, see also verse 1 for who it was written by and verse 7 for to who it was written.  I deplore the fact that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, endorsed a recent version of the Bible which had in it such irreverent words as “a pigeon sat on the bloke’s head” in connection with the Gospel of Luke chapter 3 verse 22 and purposely omitted the verses in the letter to the Romans mentioned above.  Even on a secular level I understand that these same sex relationships involve many kinds of obnoxious behaviour in order to satisfy these unnatural lusts.  I know that some people, even those with office within a mainstream church, tell us that Bible interpretation must have to accommodate changes in social habits, but I do not believe this but rather that sin is sin in God’s eyes and society is to be judged by God’s rules rather than the other way round.  It is true that some people for some reason have tendencies to same-sex relationships but if the church condones it, it is being unfaithful to the Word of God, our only authority.  These people should be encouraged to strive to be different or be celibate.’

‘It’s a corny answer but God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.  Personally I have a problem with same-sex relationships.’

‘Too much a sensitive subject within the church at this time.  More discussions are needed over a period of time.’

‘I consider their situation to be unnatural’

‘It gives the wrong impression to young people that the church agrees with their way of life, but it is absolutely morally wrong.’

‘The Methodist Church in recognising, affirming and celebrating the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men into the church would, in my mind, harm the orthodox balance of our society, and distance the perception of what most people would regard about the church.  I think our higher authorities respond to political and popular demand to the detriment of the church.’

‘Incidents within the Church of England and Catholic Churches regarding abuse of Children have been handled very badly and I am not so sure that the Methodist Church would find this an easy situation to deal with.’

‘The experiences of incidents within the Catholic and Church of England denominations with regard to child abuse does not lead me to favour this.’

'I feel these people would not be gladly accepted by the general worshipping congregation were they to hold office.’

‘I have great difficulty in giving a black and white answer to this question.  The only experience I have had with people of either persuasion, that I know of, was when a minister was stationed here under a cloak of great secrecy.  When his sexual preference became known, it caused great harm to the churches fellowship in the circuit.  I would have great difficulty accepting one to one meetings between either gender and vulnerable people especially children.’

‘We are saying it is normal, sorry I do not agree, if anything in this appears on T.V. we change programs, makes us feel sick, and I think it is sending out the wrong message, the young of today think it is normal and will try it, just to see what it is like.  We must protect our young people.’

‘Younger people hear and see these things on TV, and they think it is normal and are being encouraged to follow suit.  I myself hate seeing it on TV, where is it all going to end?  I feel sorry for the young.’

‘Ministers have a great influence in the present world of broken families, surely our ministerial leadership should be by people leading a normal family life.’

'I personally believe homosexuality is against the will of God “He created male and female, blessed them, and said, have many children.” (Genesis 1:27-28)  It is unacceptable and unnatural.’

‘I’m rather old fashioned I suppose but I have been brought up to believe that a human should believe in the sanctity of marriage between male and female.’

‘My comments would be on a personal level, and I feel the church can accept people’s orientations but not celebrate them.’

‘If we live according to the Bible the answer is quite clear.’

‘If we are to continue to base our Christian faith and upbringing on the Bible it just seems a sheer contradiction of all that we hold dear.’

‘Because I would have thought it would go against the teaching of Jesus and the Bible (a man and wife and family).  Isn’t that what God created.’

‘I expect our ministers to be an example and a shepherd that I look up to.’

‘I do not think that it is appropriate that this should happen in Methodism, if we adhere to the Bible it states very clearly that this should not be so.’

‘I feel that all we believe in the teachings of the Bible go against the principles of our beliefs.’