Though the margins were comfortable, the fact that so many are ready to let evil completely overcome a major denomination is horrific. And it's believed that much of the opposition vote was from overseas, mostly Africa, where true Christian understanding hasn't been sullied like it has here in North America.
The good news is that the African churches wield considerable influence in the General Conference, and their influence will only continue to grow over the next four years as they expand and flourish.
And, of course, the UMC gets four years of peace until the next showdown.
The other good news is that just that--the UMC has the well organized and well financed Good News movement to fight the gaysbian agenda, as well as the backing of the Institute of Religion and Democracy (IRD).
For reasons that I have never been able to uncover, the IRD paid little attention to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which unfortunately operates VERY independently of its African Counterparts.
So, for at least another four years, you have escaped our fate
Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!