Why Methodists are filing for divorce
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Edition: US
27 January 2020
The Conversation
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Kalpana Jain A note from...
Kalpana Jain
Senior Religion + Ethics Editor
The United Methodist Church, the largest mainline Protestant denomination, appears to be heading towards a divorce. At the heart of the dispute between opposing factions in the church is the issue of allowing same-sex marriages and gay clergy.
Scott T. Vehstedt, who has studied the church’s position on sexuality, explains how its reluctance to take a clear stance on the issue led to today’s acrimony. He blames a half-century of failure to resolve the chuch’s “ambiguous position on sexuality.”
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Top story
The United Methodist Church is facing a schism over LGBT policies. AP Photo/Sid Hastings
Gay rights dispute is pulling apart the United Methodist Church, after decades of argument
Scott T. Vehstedt, American University
After half a century of ambiguous policy regarding LGBTQ inclusion, the United Methodist Church may well split up in May.
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Rashad Shabazz, Arizona State University
Prince was a musical genius, but he didn't come of age in a vacuum. A human geographer explains how Minneapolis' unique musical culture nurtured and inspired the budding star.
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Christopher Devine, University of Dayton
The true number of people who do not favor either of the two major political parties in the US has actually remained stable in recent years.
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Today’s quote
'The vast majority of Americans -- consistently around 90% -- are partisans, whether they like to admit it or not.'
Don't be fooled – most independents are partisans too
Christopher Devine
University of Dayton
Christopher Devine
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