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Education
Issues
Homosexual
Agenda
NEWS
RELEASE:
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December
3, 2004
CONTACT:
Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078
or 1.814.437.5355
Eastern
PA United Methodist Church Made the Right Decision, Traditional Values
Group Says -- No 'Spiritual Violence' Took Place
(Pottstown,
PA) -- The American Family Association of Pennsylvania commends the
decision made yesterday in the trial of lesbian minister Beth Stroud.
"Twelve of the thirteen members of her jury of peers made the
correct decision in finding Ms. Stroud guilty.
Church doctrine and Scripture is clear in this matter --
involvement in homosexual behavior is sin," Diane Gramley,
president of the statewide traditional values group said upon leaving
the proceedings yesterday evening.
Stroud
declared her involvement in a homosexual relationship in a sermon in
April 2003. Several
meetings with her superiors did not resolve the situation created by
Stroud's involvement in behavior that is incompatible with Church
doctrine and Scripture. Charges were brought against her early this
year.
"I
witnessed no acts of spiritual violence against Ms. Stroud.
She was treated fairly, given an opportunity to testify, and
found guilty by a jury of her peers.
Adhering to the truth of Scripture is not spiritual
violence," continued Gramley.
However,
the 12-1 decision was water-downed by an over three-hour wait during the
penalty phase of the trial. While
the decision to defrock Stroud should have, at the very least, also been
12-1, it was instead a 7-6 decision to remove her credentials.
"The
overall outcome of the trial was correct because God's Word and the
United Methodist Book of Discipline is clear.
The jury should have adhered to Church teaching instead of trying
to be 'creative in fixing a lesser penalty' as Stroud's counsel had
encouraged the jury to do. The
decision to defrock Stroud should have been 13-0 -- period,"
Gramley concluded.
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