This opinion piece originally appeared in the Washington Post, but when I went searching for it on the web, I found it on a Pakistani Christian website, a fact which itself shows the global nature of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) struggle for dignity and equality.
An on-line Episcopal friend whom I met at a PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) conference keeps me abreast of the LGBT struggle in the Episcopal/Anglican Church. I believe we Methodists have much to learn here. If nothing else, it is instructive how the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) plays a role in stirring the schismatic pot in that denomination as well as ours.
Of course, the United Methodist Church is even more linked to our African Christian counterparts than are the Episcopalians. African United Methodists cast a growing share of votes in our General Conference. This developing situation in Nigeria raises interesting questions. Our United Methodist Social Principles currently support the human and civil rights of LGBT persons. Are African United Methodists willing to stand for this principle in their own lands? Or will they eventually seek to move our General Conference to remove the more "progressive" aspects of our Social Principles' statements on LGBT persons.
Or is it possible that the influence of United Methodist Social Principles might work in the other direction, urging African United Methodists to speak out against the oppression of LGBT persons in Africa? South Africa, for that matter, under its new post-apartheid Constitution, is now one of the most progressive regimes in the world for LGBT persons. It's one of the growing number of countries in the world that recognizes same-gender marriages.
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2 comments:
Steven,
Very important question. Conventional wisdom is that African, Asian, and Latin American Methodists are in general more toward the conservative evangelical end of the sphere. The joke has been on liberals who are all about global inclusivity until we actually find out what they believe! But with the grace of God, I know we can find a way to talk together.
Peace,
Andy B.
I realize that the greatest numerical growth (in the UMC)is in Africa and Asia and theoretically they are more conservative, but I do not think that it will have the level of conservative impact that some of the "Good News" folks would imply.
Although they may be more conservative on issues such as homosexuality I think they will push us in postivie directions in the realm of economic justice.
I do hope that they are impacted positively by our Social Principles. Some of the greatest GLBT allies have come from places that we would not always suspect.
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