Virginia Marriage Affirmation Act and Contract Rights for Homosexuals, Methodists Suckered by Ruse

On a Tuesday evening in June, 2004, Virginia Methodists were presented with a previously unannounced resolution offered up by the Reverend Gary L. Robbins of Virginia Conference's Board of Church and Society:

Be it resolved that in accordance with the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, be it resolved that the Board of Church and Society, on behalf of the Virginia Annual Conference, write the members of the Virginia Assembly:

a) sending the members the Social Principles' statement on Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation (paragraph 162.H, The Book of Discipline 2000), which states, "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all person. We are committee to supporting those rights an liberties for homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals."

b) encouraging the members of the General Assembly that, regardless of their personal views on the morality of homosexuality, to work to safeguard the full range of rights and liberties of all Virginia's citizens regardless of the individual's sexual orientation; and

c) encouraging the reconsideration of the 2004 Virginia Act because of the way that it compromises the ability of homosexual persons to enter into contractual agreements that are critical to the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of their children and families.

Pay close attention to paragraph c), and compare it to the actual two sentence Virginia Marriage Affirmation law:

§ 20-45.3. Civil unions between persons of same sex.

A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable.

(2004, c. 983.)

Well meaning but naive delegates to the Virginia conference of United Methodists were duped into the Board of Church and Society's claim that the new Virginia law would somehow violate contract rights of homosexuals. This is of course, nonsense.

Conference records do not show that the Virginia law was even read or shared. If it was, would somebody please inform me?

All this was accomplished on a Tuesday evening in June, without prior discussion, debate, or vetting. Probably 99% of Virginia Methodists are unware to this day that their church will petition their state legislators on this matter in their name as Methodists.

The assertion that the Virginia law removes contract rights from homosexuals is a lying ruse of the left and the homosexual lobby. Methodist leaders leading the charge on this resolution of course know this, and are lying scoundrels.

Shame.

...I can say without reservation that the United Methodist Church is run by
a bunch of whiney, snivelling, homo-loving, global government, assh0les.

I knew a undergraduate that attended the UMC in conservative Stillwater, OK
(home of Oklahoma State University).
He was smart and admitted to an MD/PhD program.

And even his Methodist congregation leadership brainwashed him into the
"practicing gays should be full church members and leaders" Bravo Sierra.
(that's BS, for the non-military folk)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.