Then, in a two-page letter sent to the United Methodist congregation
dated May 28, Curtis and 12 other church members detailed the
stances of the national church leadership that formed their basis
for leaving the Gas City church, including:
oSupport of a "peaceful interruption" calling for reconciliation
with homosexual clergy, and the failure of a proposal that would
support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defining marriage as
between a man and a woman.
oSupport of a pro-choice agenda and "outright support of abortion
in any form".
oA call to boycott several companies, including Taco Bell, for
alleged human rights abuses because of alleged mistreatment of
workers.
oThe reaffirmation of a call to support federal reparations to
descendants of slaves.
oIncreases in the financial burden placed on local churches.
oThe lack of a clear statement that God's word is the inspired
and infallible written word of God, fully inerrant in its original
manuscripts and superior to all human authority.
oThe placing of Methodist texts such as the Books of Discipline
above the authority of Scripture.
Similar schisms have been ongoing in the Episcopalian,
Presbyterian and Baptist faiths over the last year, largely over the
issue of homosexuality.
Curtis said the division in society has been mirrored in religion
for many years, and these trends are no exception.
"Many of these denominations, as a whole, are going too far to
the left," he said. "It's possible to go back to the middle of the
road. I think it's the relative fervor that has surprised people."
Moving forward
There was a split. A schism. A fracture. No matter the name, the
drama in the situation is inherent and unavoidable.
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