03/20/2004: "Sham trial ends, lesbian pastor acquited"

The United Methodist Church ceased being an organized denomination earlier today when a church court solemnly declared that black is white, up is down, and English is an incomprehensible language no longer spoken by the descendents of Wesley. CNN reports as follows:

A lesbian Methodist pastor was acquitted Saturday in a church trial over her sexual orientation, and will be allowed to continue her ministry.

After about 10 hours of deliberations, a jury of 13 pastors ruled in favor of the Rev. Karen Dammann, 47, who disclosed three years ago that she was in a homosexual relationship.

Church law prohibits the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals and the church's Book of Discipline declares homosexuality to be "incompatible to Christian teachings." But the church's social principles support gay rights and liberties.

The jury issued a statement saying the church "did not present sufficient clear and convincing evidence to sustain the charge."

Putting Dammann's statement that she's involved with a woman (not to mention her "wedding" in Portland last week to that same woman) together with the Discipline's declaration that "Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church" was apparently beyond the capabilities of the jury, which conducted its deliberations in a combination of Esperanto, Klingon, and pig Latin. Not that it would have mattered. Here's what some of the other principals had to say:

Bishop Elias Galvan, who brought the charge against Dammann: "I think the jury was looking for a way to be faithful to the Book of Discipline and I think they did that. As soon as she's able to return to ministry, we'll welcome her and appoint her."

The Rev. James Finkbeiner, who served as "prosecutor": After the verdict, Finkbeiner said he believed the jury overstepped the bounds of church law. "And I don't feel bad about that. Our process is fair." Then, with permission from Methodist Bishop Elias Galvan, Finkbeiner spoke for himself, adding, "I'm glad I lost, on a personal basis."

The jury: ...said it made its decision "after many hours of painful and prayerful deliberations, and listening for and to the word of God."

Now that the Book of Discipline has been disposed of as the governing law of the UMC, another text must be substituted. My nominee: Through the Looking Glass.

Replies: 3 Comments

on Sunday, March 21st, gdb said

Looking at the statements I have to agree that this was one of those pre-ordained show trials to "clear the decks" for the assualt on the whole of the UMC. Now that the "progressives" have the book of discipline swept aside the next attack will be directly on affirming the standard practice of ordaining GLBT ministers.

Let Methodist crack up begin!

on Sunday, March 21st, Robin said

Here we go again! Last year it was the Episcopalians, next year it will be the Lutherans, and what about the Presbyterians?! I live and work in Ellensburg WA and my office looks out on Karen Dammans church, a beautiful edifice, traditional in style but no longer traditional in any other way. I work with one of "pastor" Damman's main supporters and we have had some civil conversations from opposite sides of the fence on the Bible and the Gay issue. However I have always found it almost impossible to bring the Scriptures in to the conversation since they are generally dismissed as irrelevant or culturally obsolete. All one can do it seems is to hold onto one's faith in God's word and pray for strength to stand through these "last days". "As it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." May God's sustaining Grace enable us to honor His name during these trying times. Robin

on Monday, March 22nd, Eddie Swain said

As an Episcopalian, I grieve with all orthodox-minded Methodists over this terrible court decision in your church. ECUSA's "show trial" against Bishop Righter in 1995 was a similar event in our recent history, and it only took us 8 more years to get into the full-blown mess we are in now. It will likely take UMC even less time, since we have paved the way for the revisionists in your tradition, but look to our (ECUSA) history as a roadmap for what you good folks are in store for. It ain't pretty. UMC is now in my prayers as well as my own ECUSA.