Questionnaire 1: Question 9 - No Responses

With the recent same-sex partnership bill, should the Methodist Church bless same-sex unions?

‘Because there is no leading in the Bible on this issue and I feel that God would not approve.’

‘Not an act of God’

‘I don’t believe same sex should be married’

‘I do not think so and the reason I give is the same as in question 6 [Not condoned in the Bible – basis of Christian faith – Leviticus 8:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11].’

‘The first reason for marriage is the procreation of children.  Impossible for same sex partnerships.’

‘Again, the answer I believe to be 6 [Contrary to the Bible’s teaching and against the true rules of nature].’

‘Tony Blair was wrong to legalise these partnerships, as he has been wrong on many other things.  To draw a parallel, if we were under an apartheid government would we then be right to ban “coloured” people from our churches?’

‘See question no 6 [Not Adam and Steve], show me some biblical examples!!’

‘Answered assuming union means marriage.  I can understand the questions of next of kin, and financial security on a death in a same sex relationship.’

‘Marriage is a sacred joining of male and female, not men and men or women and women.’

'It is morally wrong to do so.  The church cannot please God and man at the same time.  The church leaders at this moment are trying to please man.’

‘Single people who are non-heterosexual should remain celibate.  There is so much promiscuity, particularly with teenagers, and to bless such same sex unions would send out the wrong message.  The church should be part of the education of diseases i.e. HIV/AIDS, whatever one’s sexuality.’

‘I do not feel the church is ready to embrace this yet’

‘In the Bible, Mark 10:5-10, Jesus said from the beginning of creation “God made male and female; so that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and two will become one.”  The church should encourage and promote marriage between male and female.  To contemplate blessing a union of the same sex endangers the sanctity of marriage.  Would Jesus have performed the miracle in Cana of Galilee, John 2:11 (water into wine)?  I think not, had it been a union of the same sex.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:4, Paul writes that each man should know how to live with his wife in a holy and honourable way.’

‘This would go against all our beliefs regarding family life’

‘The question of same sex unions in my view make a mockery of the present marriage vows where the question of procreation is one of the basic promises, and same sex unions where artificial means are used to produce family life does not help to balance family life.’

‘I hope not as I see it as a slippery slope, what next, are we to tap murderers, con men, and the like on the back?’

‘Are to encourage the young or not?’

‘Definitely not.  See question 6 [homosexuality against the will of God, created male and female, Genesis 1:27-28, unnatural].  The same sex partnership bill has been introduced to give a veneer of respectability to those who wish to lead unnatural lives.  To use an old fashioned phrase “It’s the work of the devil”.  I refer you to 1 Corinthians 6:13, “The body is not to be used for sexual immorality but to serve the Lord”.’

‘God made male and female, “end of story”.’

‘I feel a civil ceremony is acceptable but not a church blessing.  I believe in marriage of male and female to bring up children, although a same sex union can bring love etc to a child.’

‘Leviticus 18:22’

'To quote Mark 10: “From the beginning of creation male and female he made them, and that’s why the man must leave his father and his mother and cleave into his wife so that the two become one flesh.”  The Bible says that the union should be between man and woman.’

‘It is quite obvious if one cares to read the Biblical reasons in Leviticus 18, Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6, that such an act by the church would be improper.’

‘There is the risk that the Methodist Church will become a “blessing factory” if other denominations refuse such blessings.’

‘I am sure there are enough registry offices and hotels etc so the same sex unions can be blessed.’

‘Did God make man and woman?’

‘I do not think that we should embrace this bill at all.  It is against human nature to participate in same sex relationships.’

‘No, I feel it makes a mockery of the marriage service which was made to bless the union of man and wife for the procreation of children.’

‘Not natural’