Methodist Church and Same-Sex Marriage

Over the years, more and more Christian churches have begun to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. Churches ordaining these marriages is a largely debated topic, and it mostly comes down to how each denomination interpret the teachings in the Bible. Several denomination have either allowed same-sex marriages to be ordained in their church or have left it up to the individual minister’s discretion, but this trend is starting to grow in the United States. The United Methodist Church, however, is still strongly holding their stance against ordaining same-sex marriages. Although many members of the United Methodist Church are actually in favor allowing these marriages to be performed.

Proving this point, there was a recent wedding in North Carolina performed by Bishop Melvin Talbert and Pastor Val Rosenquist who officiated the marriage of Jim Wilborne and John Romano. This marriage went directly against the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline that sanctions only marriage between a man and a woman, and Bishop Talbert and Pastor Rosenquist could face repercussions and be subject to church punishment. Bishop Talbert, who has been speaking in favor or same-sex marriage over the years sees no problem in what he did, he claims, “Discrimination is discrimination, no matter where it is, and it’s wrong. I hope that what we did here yesterday will be an act of evangelism for people… who are looking for safe places to come because they don’t want to be identified with anti-gay [sentiment].” Bishop Talbert calls what he did an act of “biblical obedience,” and says allowing services like this one is the right thing to do, and if there will be punishment for what he has done, let it come. He believes in providing a place for people who agree with same-sex marriage to come and worship and practice their religion.

This event with the Methodist church in North Carolina, along with other denominations that have already started to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in their churches, are an example of how religions are starting to adapt in America. Our society is constantly changing, and with the legalization of same-sex marriage several years ago for all states, has been a big change and debate for religious groups. This is something that has never really been considered for most denominations in the past, and now it is something that each denomination needs to debate on and see where they personally stand. This is an issue that a large number of Americans feel strongly about, and believe that this is a basic human right. Whatever stance, for or against, each denomination chooses to hold might mean the loss of members of their church, but this is possibly an example of how religious groups may need to adapt to survive in our society.

~ Jessica Guynes

Sources:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article73685782.html

http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/methodist-bishop-and-pastor-face-repercussions-after-performing-same-sex-marriage.html

Japanese Buddhism’s Adaptation

In any form of religion adaptation is key to survival and success in our society.  A religion that fails to evolve over time is almost certain to fail or disappear over the years. Currently, this is a problem for Buddhism in Japan. Japanese priest are working on ways to keep their religion alive.

Buddhist temples are a very important part of this religion. These temples are open to the public and they welcome outsiders to come and learn about their teachings. Some of the temples even host some activities like public talks, meditation courses, retreats, and a variety of others. Even though Buddhist temples are open to everyone there has become a lack of interest in the Japanese communities.

There is a crisis facing Japanese Buddhism and their temples today, it is expected that 27,000 out of their 77,000 temples are expected to close over the next twenty-five years. Many of these temples are located in rural areas and generally supported by their communities, and a lot of rural community members, especially young women, are starting to move away. The Japan Policy Council warned that if the large departure of rural community members continues, these places of religious worship will not last. Most of the temples located in rural areas are barely making enough to stay open, and a lot of the priest are having to take on a second job to provide for themselves. Due to this prediction something is going to have to change for these temples and even the Buddhist religion to survive.

Currently, some Japanese Buddhist priest are looking for ways to keep their religion from completely disappearing in the future. As of now, Buddhism has an image of mostly being associated to funerals and funeral services, but there is much more to this religion than that. Priest are looking for ways to reverse this recent image that is associated with Buddhism. Shibata, who is a trainer, says, “Buddhism must start dismantling the wall it has built around itself, before it is too late.” They believe that they need to adapt with this current day in age, and one way they are going to do this is to appoint about fifty percent of priest from outside the traditional succession route. Some of the potential candidates for this position are retired people in the communities, they have a life’s worth of wisdom and would be perfect candidates for this position. A handful of retirees have even started training for their priesthood and a couple are even running their own temples. Priest are hoping that doing this will make it easier for the new priest to connect with their community and raise interest in Buddhism.

In this day and age, religions have to adapt with society or they are sure to disappear. Japanese Buddhism almost got caught in this situation due to their respect for tradition. Hopefully the changes that some of the priest have made will keep this religion afloat and successful in the years to come.

 

• Jessica Guynes

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/06/zen-no-more-japan-shuns-its-buddhist-traditions-as-temples-close

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_faqs.htm

Selective Service for Women

In Congress last week, a proposal for the registration of women into the Selective Service has brought up a lot of concerns in the evangelical community. They believe that in doing this it will jeopardize our nation’s defense and it goes against their beliefs.

 

Since 1973, American men have been required to register for the Selective Service in case of a national defense emergency. Army and Marine Corp leaders spoke in favor of this proposal believing that women should have the same responsibilities as men. The military has already allowed women to obtain front-line combat roles, so testifying in favor for the registration of women for the Selective Service didn’t seem like a crazy notion.

On the other hand, evangelical leaders do find this notion to be absurd, such as Andrew Walker, of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, who wrote on the group’s website, “A nation relying on female combatants is a nation that has been brought to its knees by political correctness.” These leaders believe that allowing this to happen will weaken our nation and combat effectiveness, because, “men should naturally want to protect women.” Due to this, men will be automatically drawn to helping or protecting a women when she becomes in danger on the battle field, preventing a proper response. Even an Army Chief expressed his concerns to the Baptist Press about who will ‘keep the home fires burning’ and take care of the children when men and women are both required to go to war?

Requiring women to register for the Selective Service goes against evangelical beliefs. R. Albert Mohler Jr., the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, talks about how it is wrong to, “tamper with or compromise a culture’s ability for women to fulfill what is made very clear in Scripture.” Mohler could be referring to, in the Bible, Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” In this verse and others it talks about how the husbands are the protectors of the family and the wives are to listen to and help the husband along with taking care of the children. If this is the duties outlined in the scripture that Mohler was referring to, then requiring women to register for the Selective Service could disrupt evangelical beliefs of how the cultural roles of individuals should be.

America has grown up in a society drawn from protestant notions of gender and family to structure their lives. Traditionally, these ideals have held that men being the providers, while the women stay home and tend to the children. Although, in this day in age that is not the case, everyone is striving towards equality and some evangelical leaders believe that this is starting to affect some aspects of their beliefs.

• Jessica Guynes

Reference:

http://www.religionnews.com/2016/02/12/evangelical-leaders-denounce-selective-service-women/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/5?lang=eng