Beth reached out to her accusers, judgers and sentencers
05 Dec 2004
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I end up with the sense that the outcome was rigged by the judge. First, as I understand his instructions to the jury pool were that they shouldn't let their conscience get in the way of strict interpretation of the discipline's wording. This led to a biased jury pool. Second, the two sides were not allowed to question the jury pool and have a say, based on their answers, in who was selected for the jury panel. Third, he refused to allow the defense to call all their desired witnesses, thereby limiting the full presentation of the defense's case. Fourth, after the witnesses testified, when members of the jury sought to get more information by asking questions, the judge ruled all their questions as "inappropriate", and refused to allow any responses. It was disgusting to me that there was not even an attempt to make the whole trial even appear to be a fair one. There was no room for presentation of the contradictions in the discipline. No room for the question of why prosecute this "offense", when there are dozens of other violations of the discipline that go on all the time with no consequence. (For example, if they enforced the no alcohol rule, they'd run out of clergy altogether). I think I read somewhere "whoever is without sin cast the first stone."
Clearly, from the above comments, you will not be surprised that I think the decision should be appealed, at least within the church judicial system. Emotionally I kinda wish there could be an appeal in the civil court system, as this is a clear case of job discrimination, but I understand the pitfalls of doing that, so I don't know what to say about that. Somehow, justice needs to be done in this whole fiasco.
The ban on homosexual clergy also undermines the whole concept of "the ministry of all believers." A different set of rules and judgements for clergy vs laity somehow implies that some Christians are better than others, a concept that I think is foreign to Wesley, Jesus and church teaching. I could go on and on.
On the other hand I want to say that never have I been as deeply moved as I was after the trial when Beth reached out to her accusers, judgers and sentencers. There I was, a grown man, crying for this wonderful Christian woman who at that moment reflected all that is good and inspiring about Jesus in her actions. What a witness! God bless her.
Love, George Herold |
In G*dde's loving arms...
14 Dec 2004
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Sylvia Niedner, MDiv
Social Justice Advocate,
Broad Street United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio |
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I feared my heart would be broken.
09 Dec 2004
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Betty Dorr
Parents Reconciling Network Steering Committee
Reconciling Ministries Network board member |
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Amazing Grace Under Fire
07 Dec 2004
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Reflections from the Opening Day--December 1, 2004
by Peggy R. Gaylord and Vivian R. Waltz
For Immediate Release, December 6, 2004 |
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Photo Galleries: Witness through Images
05 Dec 2004
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This was a teaching moment for many of us.
05 Dec 2004
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Laurie, co-leader (along with Kathy Stayton) of the Soulforce Philadelphia group |
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Even though she lost her credentials I felt there was a spirit there the entire time.
04 Dec 2004
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A reflection by Michelle Davis |
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