In Religion, the Splits Just Keep Comin'


Those who follow the politics of Christianity know a split has been occurring in the huge world-wide United Methodist. In my understanding, events unfolded something like this: Several years back there was support and opposition to its ministers performing gay marriages or being gay themselves. For a long time a standoff continued leaving the matter unresolved. U.S. conservatives then left the denomination taking about 1/4th of the denomination's members. This left liberals with a majority to proceed approving gay marriages. But, the African churches seethed; they hate gay marriage. Now they are talking of leaving.

True to the pattern in Christianity, African Methodist church leaders are not agreeing on whether to leave or stay.  Smart money would bet the African Methodist church will eventually split into factions over something or other. The same will occur in the U. S. in both the breakoff conservative denomination and the liberal one that is now the original denomination. Why did Pagans have so many gods? Why not. An endless supply of gods is available. One might as well pick one that approves of ME instead of adopting those other fake ones. It's also OK to keep the Judeo Christian one because it believes a gazillion different things.

While it causes problems in Christianity and Islam, I don't see a downside to lots of gods. If a god or many gods help people navigate life, makes them happier, go for it. There needs to be a rule, however, one cannot impose her god on those who have another god or no god. I know this takes some of the fun out of it, but the rule is necessary. 

What is never talked about directly in articles about the world-wide Methodist church is the flow of funds. Does money flow from the U.S. to Africa or from Africa to the main U.S. Methodist headquarters? I think we could understand the entire spat if we were able to follow the money. 

The world was here before the massive Christian denominations, Catholics, Southern Baptists and Methodists. It will be here long after they and their god is gone and forgotten.

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