Church divided over lesbian pastor's acquittal(They shouldn't be divided!)

Spokesman Review ^ | 03/22/2004 | Shannon Dininny, AP

[writer33]

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- The acquittal of a lesbian Methodist pastor charged with violating church doctrine drew praise and scorn Sunday across a denomination that may see its divisions over homosexuality laid bare at a major conference next month.

Saturday's acquittal of the Rev. Karen Dammann was celebrated Sunday at the church where she used to preach in Ellensburg, a small town in central Washington.

"I'm very pleased," said Dodie Haight, a member of the congregation who sat through Dammann's trial about 95 miles away in the Seattle suburb of Bothell. "I don't think the jury had an easy task, but I think they gave it long, thoughtful, prayerful consideration."

A 13-pastor jury acquitted Dammann, 47, of violating a church ban on ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals." If nine jurors had voted to convict, Dammann could have lost her ministry.

At one point during Sunday's service, during the sharing of joys and concerns, choir member Charlie McKinney s aid Dammann had taught the congregation about the power of truth.

"She did a courageous thing and a difficult thing," McKinney said. "She did this as a way to pull bricks from the age-old wall of prejudice, fear and exclusion."

But there was concern about the fallout for the United Methodist Church, the nation's third-largest denomination with 8.5 million U.S. members. The church, which cannot appeal the verdict, has repeatedly voted against loosening policies on gays and lesbians.

"I'm just stunned at this decision," said James Heidinger, president and publisher of the Methodist publication Good News. He said the jury committed "intellectual dishonesty" when it claimed church standards regarding homosexuality are unclear.

"I believe the vast majority of United Methodists are in grief and shock today. I'm personally heartbroken," said Patricia Miller, executive director of the Confessing Movement, a conservative movement within the church that claims more than 600,000 members.

"I think the issue is, a part of the jurisdiction has broken covenant with the rest of the church and has decided to go the way of the world, as opposed to being faithful to and abiding by church law."

The Methodist church's stance on homosexuality is on the agenda of its next General Conference, which begins April 27 in Pittsburgh. The conference, made up of nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world, is the denomination's top lawmaking body.

Church law prohibits the ordination of open gay and lesbians and the church's Book of Discipline declares being gay "incompatible with Christian teaching." However, the denomination's social principles support gay rights and liberties.

Several Pennsylvania delegates to the conference said they doubt Dammann's case will have much impact on the recurring debate over changing the Book of Discipline.

"I'd be surprised if we overturned that, even though there may be some (regional) annual conferences that want to," said the Rev. Arnold Rhodes, pastor of the Clarion First United Methodist Church about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Delegates in the past two General Conferences, which are held every four years, voted by margins of 2-to-1 or more to keep the existing language, said the Rev. Joel Garrett, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in McMurray, Penn.

[writer33]

"She did a courageous thing and a difficult thing," McKinney said. "She did this as a way to pull bricks from the age-old wall of prejudice, fear and exclusion."

THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR ON THIS ISSUE! WHY ARE WE DEBATING PREJUDICE? THIS IS ACTIVISM OF THE WORST KIND!

I am not Methodist and this is utterly ridiculous. These radical homosexuals are trying to hijack morality. And now they've included our churches. It's despicable at the very least.

[Paleo Conservative]

"I'm very pleased," said Dodie Haight, a member of the congregation who sat through Dammann's trial about 95 miles away in the Seattle suburb of Bothell. "

I need to take out my contacts and wear my glasses. I thought it was "Brothel" not Bothell.

[thoughtomator]

It's "Bothell" which is short for "mind-numbedrobot hell"

[GeronL]

She is a lesbian, how does she get aquitted from a charge of being a lesbian??

[Redcoat LI]

What is a "Methodist".

No disrespect,I am just un-familiar with this group.

[writer33]

Methodist is a protestant group. They split from the Catholic church a long time ago. Lutherans are another group that split from the Catholic church as well.

Think of Lutherans as Catholic light. Think of Methodists as Lutheran light. I like to think of Methodists as a cross between Catholicism and Baptists.

[luckymom]

Isn't the United Methodist Church the liberal wing of the Methodists in the same way the ELCA is in the Lutheran Church?

[writer33]

"She is a lesbian, how does she get aquitted from a charge of being a lesbian??"


You're only supposed to see shades of grey. Stop asking questions. Remember. Shades of grey. That will help in your diversity all the rest of your life. :) Sarcasm for your nighttime enjoyment.

And you're right. She can't be acquitted from being a lesbian. She openly admits that. It's a sad state of affairs. Isn't it?

[cartoonistx]

I was once a Methodist but left in the 70's due to waaay left social agendas and the disrespecting of scriptural truth in favor of a "living gospel". They've been lost for decades. Now they are dead!

[Redcoat LI]

O.K,thanks for the info,where do they rate on a Consevative to Liberal scale?

[Eva]

Does anyone else think that the name of this quasi female minister is prophetic?

[GeronL]

I suppose the Presbyterians would be the light-loafer Baptists?

[GeronL]

Its not her actual name, she changed it to that. dam-man

[cincinnati65]

Technically, if 99% are against and 1% is in favor to anything, they're "divided". Problem is Liberals view this as an even split.

[Eva]

Seriously?

[Porterville]

Pray for the Methodist.

[Arkinsaw]

What is a "Methodist".

Thats a good question, there seems to be no firm definition of that

On the liberal/conservative scale they run from liberal to conservative. In general, the hierarchy and spokesmen who spend the money are activist liberal and the people who pay the tithes are silent and dumb conservative.

[Libertina]

Shameful show trial ping.

[GeronL]

Thats what I read when this whole thing headed into 'religion court'.

[cherry]

I am waiting for all these Christians who are upset at their respective churches to actually DO something, rather than just blather on about how "upset" they are...

I think in the main Protestant sects...Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal.....if you have conservative beliefs, I don't know how you can either allow this sanctifying of gay clergy to go on, or how you can remain in your churches....

Empty pews would speak loudly....

I don't hate gays....we have respectable men on both sides of our family that are gay....

being gay, and being an openly gay minister are two differant things....