Is It Heat or Light?

Wednesday was set aside for dealing with those issues that produce more heat than light. It seems that the issues surrounding homosexuality surface each quadrenium and 2008 is no exception. There were three separate groups of petitions that dealt with areas of this controversial issue.

The current language in The Discipline states that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching. There were a group of petitions that around that question. The legislative committee brought a recommendation to the plenary that would have changed the wording to one that indicated that there was not agreement on the matter within the church. The gist of the new wording would have stated that over time the question was not clear and the church would agree to disagree. In a long drawn out debate and parliamentary process, amendments, minority reports from the committee were and emotional and passionate speeches, the result was, in effect, leaving the wording intact in The Discipline. The vote in years past has been about 65%-35% to leave the wording intact. This time it was about 55%-45%.

A group of petitions asked that the church’s definition of marriage be changed to include same-sex unions. After much debate and effort, these were rejected 574-298. This was an emotional debate as well.

The Conference approved a resolution opposing homophobia and discrimination against lesbians and gays. This was approved 544-365. There was a spirit of concern for those that experience discrimination for any reason in society.

In the debates and discussions, there was and is a spirit of openness and acceptance. This is probably due to the emphasis on Christian Conferencing that has been encouraged since the process of preparing for General Conference began. Those presiding have insisted on the use of non-inflamatory words and attitudes. The legislative committees modeled the proper behavior and respect for others regardless of the wide divergence of ideas and opinions.
Opinion
In discussions with delegates and others, there is the feeling that most folk came here with the opinions expressed in the votes and that very little shift resulted from the debate. In other words, the votes would have been much the same if they had been taken at the opening of the conference. Maybe we should try that in an effort to move the process ahead. It is important for all to be heard; so, maybe that isn’t such a good idea.

On Thursday morning, that was an orchestrated “witness” allowed on the floor of the Plenary Hall by those who felt pain from the Wednesday Votes. In comparison to the protests on past General conferences, it was more subdued and respectful of the body. Contrasted to Cleveland in 2000, there were no arrests and no angry confrontations. The group was allowed to have spokes persons who expressed their anger and pain. There was integrity within the agreement between the leadership of General Conference and the demonstrators that was not evident in the past.

This is Thursday night as we begin the evening session. The delegates still have about 100 calendar items to deal with. The adjournment time on the preconference agenda is 3PM Friday. My experience tells me this isn’t going to happen. I will try to get another blog on Friday Morning to give you an idea of how things are looking.