Questionnaire 1: Question 9 Summary

21 people answered yes, 35 said no, 10 people were unsure and 3 did not answer.  30% of people were supportive of the Methodist Church blessing same sex unions.  Although people fall into these categories it is apparent that people have different understandings of what a union is, which would need to be addressed if Methodism officially began to bless same-sex unions. 

From those who did not give an answer came comments such as they would have said yes as long as it is not classed as marriage, one commented that if their sexuality is innate then it would be wrong to deny them the opportunity of love.  There were some who said they know no reason to why they shouldn’t be blessed.  One said that if they are regular worshippers in the church then they should be, another commented that they had no difficulty with same-sex unions, just that they were unsure whether they should be blessed.  There were one or two who said no, but actually seemed to have no problem with same-sex relationships, one stated that they thought it should not be marriage, but that for legal reasons they should be registered, one said that the church was not yet ready, one said a civil ceremony was acceptable but not a blessing service, another commented that if other denominations don’t choose to bless them the Methodist Church could become a ‘blessings factory.’  Another person said that there were enough hotels and registry offices to do them.

If you take into account those who have answered other than yes, but actually do not express an opinion against same sex relationships, but bring in other reasons for their answer, the possible percentage of those who would support same sex relationships could be as high as 48%.  The number supporting same sex blessing services within the Methodist Church would then fall somewhere between 30% and 48%.

There were many reasons given in support of same sex unions, most were because God welcomes all and that all people should be treated equally.  Others commented that if they want to make the commitment they should be allowed.  There were a few that said it was time for the church to move forward.  A couple said that the church should bless everyone.  One said that it was the chance to show others their love and another said that they need to be openly recognised.  One person commented that homosexual people have showed time and time again that their relationships are just as committed as heterosexual ones.  One person said that the Christian faith was built on love, and that love should be celebrated, whilst another said although they believed it was against nature, humanly speaking they should be accepted.  Others commented why not, that it’s an age-old problem and that they should be able to live as they wish.

The major reason against same-sex union blessings were Biblical reasons, with 6 responses giving that reason, the passages 1 Cor 6:13, Genesis 1:27-28, Mark 10:5-10, Leviticus 18:22, 1 Cor 6:9-11, Romans 1 were cited as examples.  The next major argument was that God made humanity male and female, 5 responses referred to this.  3 people said that it was against nature and unnatural, whilst 2 people said it would make a mockery of marriage, 2 people said they understood unions and marriage to mean procreation, another commented that it is against family life.  2 people said that it was not the will of God.  Other people said that they believed same-sex couples should not be married, and one commented that it was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.  Other comments included that it was morally wrong, non-heterosexual people should remain celibate, that this would encourage the young, it was the work of the devil, and that the church should educate about diseases.  One person said the church was not ready and another said that it would be a slippery slope, commenting that the church would next be tapping murderers and con men on the back.