Methodists Reject 'Agree to Disagree' Proposals on Homosexuality

(UMNS/Paul Jeffrey)Demonstrators calling for the United Methodist Church to accept "agree to disagree" proposals on the issue of homosexuality are seen on the floor of the United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. on May 3, 2012.

Delegates to the United Methodists Church's top lawmaking body have rejected two "agree to disagree" proposals that would have erased language in current law stating that homosexual acts are "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Had the changes been approved, they would have been entered into the Book of Discipline, which contains the denominations laws and doctrines.

The language into the Book, which remains unchanged, states:

"The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching."

A proposed substitution to the Book of Discipline, Paragraph 161F would have stated that United Methodists disagree on whether homosexual practice is contrary to the will of God, while urging unity despite differences and respect for co-existence.

Delegates also rejected a separate proposal that would have acknowledged a "limited understanding" of human sexuality and called on the church to "refrain from judgment regarding homosexual persons and practices until the spirit leads us to new insight."

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