Journal of Other Forum Analysis

[Gameboy Nostalgia]

today in "it really is the dumbest forum on the internet"

https://www.resetera.com/threads/prominent-black-church-leaders-call-for-end-of-u-s-aid-to-israel.818493/post-119353518

I like how nobody has the heart to say: Democrats not voting for him because he is supporting Israel is probably way smaller than you want to acknowledge.

https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-african-methodist-episcopal-church

LGBTQ+ EQUALITY
ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has traditionally established no formal policy on issues that affect LGBTQ+ people. But it has long been clear that the church condemns same-sex relationships. And in 2004, church leaders articulated that condemnation in a rare statement against marriage equality that same-sex relationships contradict their understanding of Scripture.

The AME Church does not appear to address transgender issues specifically but does closely follow scriptural teachings regarding God’s creation of man and woman with the implication that gender is biologically determined.

ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
At the AME national convention in July 2004, delegates voted to forbid ministers from performing marriage or civil union ceremonies for same-sex couples. The vote was unanimous, and there was no debate on the topic. The decision marked the first vote on the issue of marriage rights for same-sex couples by a predominantly African-American denomination.

Earlier in the year, before marriage became legal for same-sex couples in Massachusetts, the Rev. Gregory G. Groover Sr., an AME pastor in Boston, explained why AME preachers opposed the move. He was quoted in the Boston Globe on Feb. 10, 2004, as saying: “As black preachers, we are progressive in our social consciousness, and in our political ideology as an oppressed people we will often be against the status quo, but our first call is to hear the voice of God in our Scriptures, and where an issue clearly contradicts our understanding of Scripture, we have to apply that understanding.”

ON NON-DISCRIMINATION
The AME Church does not appear to have taken an official stand on the Equality Act or other issues regarding non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people.

ON ORDINATION
In August 2003, after an article in USA Today incorrectly stated that the African Methodist Episcopal Church ordained gay ministers, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris issued this statement refuting that position and instructed all AME pastors to read it to their congregations: “The official position of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is not in favor of the ordination of openly gay persons to the ranks of clergy in our church. This position reaffirms our published position papers, public statements and prior rulings, all of which indicate that we do not support the ordination of openly gay persons.”