ST. LOUIS (AP) The United Methodist Church, Americas second-largest Protestant denomination, faces a likely surge in defections and acts of defiance after delegates at a crucial conference voted Tuesday to strengthen the faiths bans on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT clergy.
Emotions were high throughout the third and final day of the UMCs meeting. Some supporters of greater LGBT inclusion were in tears, while others vented their anger when, midway through the session, delegates defeated a proposal that would have let regional and local church bodies decide for themselves on gay-friendly policies.
Devastation, was how former Methodist pastor Rebecca Wilson of Detroit described her feelings. As someone who left because Im gay, Im waiting for the church I love to stop bringing more hate.
