Methodist Pastor Not Fazed by Peace Group's Possible Link with Communists

AgapePress ^ | April 7, 2003 | Jim Brown

[Kuksool]

Methodist Pastor Not Fazed by Peace Group's Possible Link with Communists

By Jim Brown April 7, 2003

(AgapePress) - Some United Methodists in Tennessee are expressing outrage over their denomination's affiliation with a Nashville anti-war group with strong communist ties. But one local Methodist pastor has no problem with the relationship.

After doing some investigation, Nashville talk-show host Phil Valentine recently informed listeners that the United Methodist Church, the Communist Party USA, and the Democratic Socialists of America were all member organizations of the Nashville Peace and Justice Center (NPJC).

Valentine also learned that the Communist Party USA and the NPJC are both operating out of a building owned by the United Methodist Church.

Mike Ripski is pastor of the 2,000-member Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, a nearby congregation. He says he is not bothered by the affiliation.

"At one point, these groups [that make up the NPJC] came together because there was agreement on an issue that seemed to make sense working together on," he says. "That doesn't mean that the group will always agree on every issue that comes up."

"Sometimes it's helpful to be a part of groups and in context," Ripski continues. "We're not going to all think alike because our differences of perspective and our differences of belief keep us all on our toes, and provide a kind of check on what otherwise might become arrogance and self-righteous pride."

Mark Voorhees, who chairs the United Methodist Board of Church and Society of the Tennessee Annual Conference, says the Board is currently "evaluating" its relationship with the Peace and Justice Center.

Other member groups of the NPJC include Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the National Organization for Women.

[Kenno]

We're not going to all think alike because our differences of perspective and our differences of belief keep us all on our toes... What differences?

[Kuksool]

The United Methodist Leadership have been taken over by extreme leftists. The Methodist churches in my neighborhood have "Give Peace A Chance" signs exhibited on their front lawns. Whereas the Luthern Missouri-Synod, Assemblies of God, and Baptist churches in my community openly display yellow ribbons. It appears the scripturely sound churches have the yellow ribbons, while the biblically questionable churches have "Give Peace A Chance" signs.

[dts32041]

UMC, a cult that supports the supression of individual rights.

[Welsh Rabbit]

"That doesn't mean that the group will always agree on every issue that comes up."

A perfect example of Lenin's phrase, "useful idiot". How about the fundamental issue of communism being completely incompatable with Christianity, or any spiritual religion in general. If a socialist revolution ever did take over America, this lukewarm puke would amongst the first purged by his commie friends.

[RLK]

The United Methodist Leadership have been taken over by extreme leftists.

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That's the reality.

[Mo1]

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[Humidston]

Ohboy.... I guess he agrees with the National Council of Churches too, since they're members.

Oh, and there's that matter of Elian...

I bet God is NOT happy with these wolves in sheep's clothing!

[JoJo Gunn]

http://www.philvalentine.com/NashvillePeaceJusticeCenter.htm

[AlaskaErik]

The term "useful idiot" comes readily to mind.

[bourbon]

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. Empty Heads.

[Gopher Broke]

The hard turn to the left is why my wife and I LEFT the United Methodist church....despite our families being UM for several generations back.....

The UMC endorses homosexuality, abortion and any other 'EAR TICKLING" doctrine that will make them "popular".

Like other mainstream religions like Episcopalians and Presbyterians, the UMC has lost about 30% of it's members in the last 10 years or so.

They endorse liberalism, rather than turn to the Bible, like they should.

[Let's Roll]

"The UMC endorses homosexuality, abortion and any other 'EAR TICKLING" doctrine that will make them "popular"."

And it makes them so popular that "the UMC has lost about 30% of it's members in the last 10 years or so."

If you didn't know another thing about some of these mainline churches, their lack of logic would confirm their progressive bent.

[Mulder]

Valentine also learned that the Communist Party USA and the NPJC are both operating out of a building owned by the United Methodist Church.

And they still have their tax-emempt status?

I'm really not surprised by that.