03/27/2006
Methodist Pastor Hangs Up Robes Over Gay Marriage
Reverend Howard Hanger has hung up his robes and turned in his ordination to the United Methodist Church because the denomination and the state of North Carolina both refuse to recognize same-sex marriages.
Here's part of what he told his Asheville congregation:
As a United Methodist Minister, I am prohibited from ceremonially blessing the love of any gay couple. So, with a sad heart and after a long talk with my bishop, Deb Kiesey, I have decided that I can no longer operate as a minister under the banner of an institution which so blatantly discriminates against the love of 10-20 percent of the world's population......This is an extremely difficult decision. Both my father and grandfather were Methodist ministers, one of whom left the church over his opposition to war and the other who got into trouble with the church over his pro-civil rights stance.
The choice was clear, however: obey my conscience and my call to follow Jesus (a man who said nothing about homosexuality and everything about love) or obey a policy that clearly and uncompromisingly judges and discriminates against the committed love of God's children. It's a no-brainer; but a heavy-hearter. As a minister, my mission is to bless and encourage love wherever I find it and to bring love where it is not. I must continue to do this.
My hope and prayer is that United Methodists and all other denominations may soon realize that love is love; and what our world needs now is love, not discrimination.
Hanger's decision will not affect his ability to officiate weddings, however. Bravo to the Reverend for taking a courageous stand.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 12:05 PM EST by Andy in Gay Marriage, Religion | Permalink
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He certainly looks gay.
Posted by: Larry | Mar 27, 2006 12:13:30 PM
I believe he could hired by a church in the UCC if he were so inclined
Posted by: Donald | Mar 27, 2006 12:17:17 PM
There are two ways for clergymen and women to fight against the rightwing dominionist and theocon elements in their faith communities. It is from within or from without.
In the USA, this courageous cleric identified both denominational theology and civil law in NC as his reasons for his voluntary laicization. When clerical voices within the UMC need his clear and resonant voice, his special message and the emotive expressions behind it, will be missing.
In Canada, the civil law question is moot. The Roman Catholics and the Fundamentalists are strangely in bed together, while the Anglicans, Lutherans and Presbyterians are skirting the " via media."
Yes, many LGBT Christians have become either unchurched, agnostic, or simply define their spirituality differently than their families, and their own upbringing. For many, this is a meaningful void in their lives, and the thirst needs quenching.
Yes, two out of ten gays and lesbians vote for the right wing and attend right wing affirming churches or synagogues. Yes, there were blacks who voted for Strom Thurmond and other racist bigoted leaders. Yes, there were Jews who actually voted for Hitler and his National Socialist in the Reichstag.
Internalised homophobia is as prevalent and more toxic than external homophobic words and behaviours. The connexion is clear.
Posted by: Raymond | Mar 27, 2006 12:18:03 PM
I agree with Raymond in that people like this Reverand should stay in the church an try to change the beliefs from within. Him leaving, though making a very dramatic statement, has no log lasting effect in the church. By his remaining in the church and speaking out against such discrimination, he can change minds eventually. Better to be thrown out of a church screaming than to walk out on your own.
Posted by: Patrick | Mar 27, 2006 12:50:33 PM
Apparently he had not been officiating at a United Methodist Church for some time. He was the pastor at this Jubilee Church which was non-denominational. So his effectiveness in trying to change the UMC may be questionable.
Posted by: Jim in Tampa | Mar 27, 2006 4:10:07 PM
bravo and thank you
Posted by: chisum | Mar 27, 2006 5:25:20 PM
Good to see he has resigned. He was apparently not called by God, and chose to call himself instead. The church does not need anymore hypocrites, those accepting things that so cleary go against the Word of God. And don't think I'm anti-gay, I'm not. I would say the same thing if an adulterer was in the pulpit and announced it and their intentions to remain in the relationship. As well as someone who admitted they were stealing from the church and planned on continuing to do so. We need ministers who not only preach the Word, but live it as well. Despite the many attempts to recreate a user friendly god who overlooks sin, it won't work on judgement day.
Posted by: inHisdefense | Mar 28, 2006 2:53:47 AM
A "Christian" with principals, will wonders never cease...
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Mar 28, 2006 3:35:36 AM
So inhisdefense. According to your view, slave holders should be in the pulpit but people who eat shell fish and pork should not. Men with more than one wife should be in the pulpit but people who wear mixed fabrics should not. A person who wears glasses should not be in pulpit a person who works on the sabbath should be killed. I could go on and on. Please don't pick and choose, either you believe all of what the bible says or none of it. Which camp are you in?
Posted by: Donald | Mar 28, 2006 12:16:20 PM
InHisDefence:
First of all, I am a Christian hierarch in a worldwide Communion. All of our "Ministers" in any grade of Orders must hold a minimum of undergraduate and a graduate divinity degree in order to receive ordination. The man whom you deride made that investment in his vocation...a calling that you malevolently describe as dishonest. Shame on you, and your particular definition of the Christian message.
I suspect that you emanate from those popular dominionist theocratic systems extant in the world today. They are especially virulent in your American nation.
Today, however, learned theologians and heretofore silenced periti are speaking up and for a sexual theology that uses modern definitions to describe the old words incorrectly defined for centuries.
The Word is contextual, and not at all a literal absolute. If that were the case, sir or madam, no Continental Reformer would have insisted upon the re-definition of the Eucharistic presence as "essentially" agreed upon by the Apostolic Succession Churches throughout Christendom.
There is, as previously indicated, many men and women of conscience who leave sola scriptura and fiduciary faith communities to find a more progressive and theologically contextual place. Others remain in order to struggle from within as opposed to without.
The American Dominionist Theocrat is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. It supports life until it is born. It supports the death penalty - a view only held by Islamist states and the United States of America. (It joined the rest of the world for a period when liberals were in power in your country.). It supports the virtue of selfishness and greed, and adds Ayn Rand to the epistology of their Creed.
This is NOT the Church I serve nor the Christ whom I love and follow.
Posted by: Raymond | Mar 28, 2006 12:50:07 PM
It's too bad Howard Hanger did not follow the example of the United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist ministers in his town and refuse to perform state marriage ceremonies until there is marriage equality in NC. The homophobic stances of many churches are odious indeed; but it is the state, not the church, that makes people legally married, and that's the place to which the battle needs to be carried
Posted by: John | Mar 28, 2006 12:59:06 PM