Posted on 01/18/2016 6:11:58 PM PST by truthfinder9
The slogan of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." But UMC officials are now under fire for being closed-minded and intolerant after they banned Discovery Institute, from sponsoring an information table at the denomination's upcoming General Conference in May. Intelligent design is the idea that life and the universe show evidence of being the result of purposeful design rather than unguided processes.
"Preventing United Methodist leaders from even hearing about intelligent design isn't open-minded. It's intolerant and exclusionary," said Dr. John West, Vice President of Discovery Institute. "Maybe United Methodist officials should change their slogan to 'Closed Hearts, Closed Minds, Closed Doors.' As a private organization, the UMC has the right to exclude us as an exhibitor. But UMC officials' embrace of censorship undermines their own professed commitment to open doors and open minds."
"As a United Methodist, I'm disheartened and appalled," said Michael Flannery, a university professor who is also a Discovery Institute Fellow. "Methodist officials who are trying to stop discussion before it starts certainly don't speak for me or for many other United Methodists in the pews."
Discovery Institute is calling on those who think the United Methodist Church should live up to its slogan of encouraging open minds and open doors to contact Judi Kenaston, the chair of the UMC's Commission on the General Conference, the group that made the decision banning Discovery Institute. "Urge Ms. Kenaston and the Commission to live up to their church's slogan and be truly open-minded," said West. The Institute has set up a web page to make it easy to contact UMC officials.
Ping
The United Methodists long ago rejected Jesus Christ. They continue to denounce Him, and this is just another shot at the Savior. The time will come when they will be held accountable and will receive their just reward.
A shame they missed their opportunity to have some intelligence at their conference.
Is a United Methodist General Conference a venue where this would be an item of discussion? I don’t have a clue what a General Conference would include.
How many congregations have folded over the last few years? Why don’t these folks be done with it and just incorporate themselves into a social group?
Left the Methodist church in the mid-1970’s.
Never looked back.
Matthew 15:8-9New King James Version (NKJV)
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And[a] honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ â€
Part of the great apostasy of the end times?
Left them w/o regret
Indeed.
I was raised Methodist, but today belong to an independent fundamental Baptist Church. Stuff like this is a major reason why.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
I can’t leave because my family has been Methodists forever. I don’t want to leave because I can better work from within to bring change than I can from with out.
No, not “the United Methodists” - those in national leadership since the 70s, in Nashville and NYC. Many of us down here in the pews are members of the renewal movement, Good News and the confessing movement. True , sold out, born-again believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Unguided processes? Evolution states that the processes are the ability to adapt. Mutations happen. Most are unsuccessful. The ones which are beneficial are the ones which allow the babies to live to reproduce. And the beneficial mutation will hopefully be passed on to the next generation. The guided process is the will to live. And to find a mate. Noah’s arch. The animals entering the boat in couples of twos. As John Paul the Pope said “Chose Life.” The guided process is the will to live.
Well said - though idiocy like this makes it a challenge.
Ping!
I am a United Methodist and I’ve believed in Him ever since He saved me 44 years ago. We have fought the liberals in our denomination for decades and this year is the tipping point. We’ve won the voting at the last 4 or 5 general conferences keeping the denomination from going homosexual. If we can win just one more time, then the numbers in the growing African churches will be decisive. The forces against us in May are formidable. They have a sinister plan that appears “fair” to sneak through the back door, that is, every church gets to decide it’s own position on that issue. However, if those churches are not also permitted to leave with their properties, then the denomination has allowed homosexuality to be imposed , hasn’t it? But a win this time will be the final time that numbers of delegates will be evenly matched. The growth in the African churches will prevail over the declining American liberal churches. Thanks for listening. We want your prayers for biblical Christians to be victorious. It is very precarious.
I am a United Methodist and I’ve believed in Him ever since He saved me 44 years ago. We have fought the liberals in our denomination for decades and this year is the tipping point. We’ve won the voting at the last 4 or 5 general conferences keeping the denomination from going homosexual. If we can win just one more time, then the numbers in the growing African churches will be decisive. The forces against us in May are formidable. They have a sinister plan that appears “fair” to sneak through the back door, that is, every church gets to decide it’s own position on that issue. However, if those churches are not also permitted to leave with their properties, then the denomination has allowed homosexuality to be imposed , hasn’t it? But a win this time will be the final time that numbers of delegates will be evenly matched. The growth in the African churches will prevail over the declining American liberal churches. Thanks for listening. We want your prayers for biblical Christians to be victorious. It is very precarious.
No Intelligence Allowed! The Methodist Church is officially part of “Babylon the Great!”
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