editorial: Campus community encouraged to remain accepting, regardless of church decision

The United Methodist Church’s decision to maintain their traditional stance on the LGBTQ community, meaning they won’t perform same sex-marriages or allow openly LGBTQ clergy, left many students feeling upset.

With the actions being taken by political leaders to minimize the LGBTQ community this year, such as the ban on transgender military service, this decision by the UMC felt disheartening to some. It seems like the nation is backpedaling into a regressed, less accepting climate after making such progress with the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.

Not only did the UMC decision come as a surprise to so many Methodists in America, it is reminding of the struggle that LGBTQ members face internationally. There are still many countries where being openly homosexual is a punishable offense, while we may still continue to see and experience injustice in the U.S.

A key component of the core belief system of the Methodist church is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. This concept takes scripture, tradition, reason, and experience into consideration when making rulings regarding church proceedings. In the past, it was used to justify more liberal Methodist traditions, such as allowing women to serve as pastors. 

The latest decision goes against the past dealings of the Methodist church as a whole and goes against the system of decision-making that many American Methodist churches have used to dictate how their churches operate.

What once was a safe place and a house of worship for many openly LGBTQ Christians has become seemingly discriminatory. 

The LGBTQ members of the Methodist church have now joined the other Christians who grew up or still are a part of conservative traditions. They have joined a group of people who are forced to balance their religious beliefs with their sexual identities without support from the church. Our campus in particular has the difficult job of continuing to provide financial, religious and academic support to our diverse student body, regardless of the UMC decision. 

LGBTQ students continue to affirm their Methodist faith and actively serve in religious capacities on campus. We cannot ignore the UMC ruling, but, as a campus, we can stand together and continue to include all students in our activities, religious or not. Our campus must be a safe space for all students.