United Methodist Church Is
Expected to Split Over Gay Marriage.
Announced by church leaders
on Friday, the schism would lead
to a "traditionalist Methodist"
denomination.
The spin-off church would
both oppose gay marriage and
refuse to ordain LGBTQ clergy.
[the division is] the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person, United Methodist Division Plan Writers,
via 'The Washington Post'.
The plan comes in lieu of harsher
sanctions on pastors who choose to
perform gay marriages, despite the current
negative stance on the issue by the church. .
A vote to approve the
split will occur at the church's
worldwide conference in May.
The fight within the church
over the issue of gay marriage
has been ongoing for years.
The United Methodist Church
is the third largest U.S.
religious denomination