THE GENERAL DENUNCIATION OF THE BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Nov. 3, 1996

Abstract: The Book of Resolutions is hereby denounced by the authors of this document, who are members of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware. This document outlines the many reasons for this stance.

Background: We held several classes to study the contents of the Book of Resolutions (B/R) during adult Sunday School at St. Paul’s United Church. Many of us were alarmed and disturbed by what we learned about the social positions of our church. Most of the people in the class had never seen the book and were unaware how the resolutions were generated, modified, or qualified for inclusion in B/R. The material in this book was the subject of hours of discussion and prayer among us. As a result of these deliberations, the objections and basis for the summary denunciation of B/R are outlined below:

Scriptural Basis. The book is highly secular in nature. Most of the points offered in the various resolutions are not supported by scriptural references. Where references to the Bible do occur, they are frequently subordinate to and given equal weight and treatment with such secular  references as U. S. Supreme Court decisions (1) or leftist political Basis. 

Political Basis. The book is mostly political in nature. The language, dogma  (2,3).and tone of the book have been skillfully structured by dedicated experts  in the use of political correctness. References to scripture are secondary, sometimes irrelevant, often conspicuous by their obvious  absence, and most often subservient to the political arguments in support  of resolutions. Examples are: Sexuality (3) affirmative Action (4), Diversity of Language (5) and Racism (6). Themes like the general  eradication of genocide are touted throughout the book with serious  omissions of clear examples. Pronouncements on this theme continue while  references to obvious pogroms like the genocide of Cambodians by the Khmer  Rouge are omitted, perhaps through some reciprocal agreement or political  courtesy. In place of such serious omissions are various minutia such as  the trivial ardent desires to restrain the U. S. Navy from target practice  on two small islands (7) in Puerto Rico, whose citizens are victims of  American colonialism.

A careful reading of this material reveals that the B/R is essentially 100% left-liberal and ultra-radical in its outlook, tone, theme, theology, and policy. There is no variation from this narrow view. The fraction of the political spectrum populated by the radical left is far less than a majority of the adult U. S. population, but this small group apparently has total control over the text and contents of B/R. The resultant text has narrow and shallow spiritual values, abounds in loose secular ethics, and insists on substituting rigid political dogma for other more obvious scriptural lessons, morals, and Christian practice.

The appearance of numerous non-Christian notions, platitudes and polemics implicit in this book may be explained by the petition procedure detailed on p. 19. According to the process, petitions submitted, from any source, must pass through the Church and Society Legislative Committee, which accepts, rejects or amends the petitions. There are no published guidelines for reviewing petitions. There is apparently no appeal process. The format for this form of secretive process was known as a Star Chamber in earlier centuries. It should be obvious that the members of the Church and Society Legislative Committee can easily filter out, suppress or redact, any petitions that are considered politically incorrect. This practice is authoritarian. Dictators use this method. It is quite clear, after reading the text, that this political screening process is in effect and working smoothly. Without dictatorial political filtering, the content of this book would otherwise reflect the natural social, economic, intellectual, and cultural diversities of the membership of the Methodist Church. The text of the book would read much differently in many sections if the Church membership, as a whole, were allowed to submit their concerns and comments. Church membership: The B/R tends to polarize members of the United Methodist Church. Many of us are alarmed at the use of old socialist, radical activist and Marxist economics theories and polemics now being reshuffled, thinly-disguised, and proffered as responsible social theory and conduct, wholly approved by God.

Conclusion. We find the resolutions and positions of this book to be largely without social, theological or economic merit. Much of the text of the B/R resembles the crude sophistry of propagandists. This book panders to the radicals of the left-liberal wing of the political arena and uses platitudes and petty sophisms to legitimize current activist themes. The effect of this tautological political exercise is to polarize the members of the United Methodist Church, many of whom give substantial gifts in time and money and are unaware of the political underpinnings of the General Conference leadership. Perhaps the basis for determining gifts to the church should be reviewed, at least by the authors of this document in light of the comments in this book. We find B/R frequently barren in elementary Christian ethics and teachings. References to God and scripture are selectively used where possible and even distorted, if necessary, to support political viewpoints. Obvious Biblical references and teachings are omitted when discussing a given topic, even if they might be pertinent, because they would naturally conflict or undermine rigid leftist dogma. The B/R rates a low score on all Christian, or even secular, theological approval scales and merits a general denunciation by any objective Christian standards.

Demands:

[1]  We demand that this Book of Resolutions be open to allow changes  in social position statements through petitions from responsible Methodist Church members.

[2]   We demand that other points of view be considered. We demand that these petitions be included for open vote at General Conference without prior political filtration by secret committee.

[3]   We demand that the texts of such resolutions be left pristine  and devoid of editing by zealous individuals, free from propagandizing and  distortions from radical revisionism theories, free from being abstracted,

Footnotes

(1)       Capital Punishment.  B/R, p. 465-466. The case is here argued that the use of capital punishment (CP) found in Matt. 5:38 was repudiated by Christ. This essay is based on the theory that the motive for advocating CP is only revenge. Israel always had CP and A. Eichmann was hanged in this century. CP need not be based on revenge; it can be based on justice alone. This is an example of a distortion of scripture.  See Exod. 21:15, Lev. 24:14, Num. 15:32-36, Lev. 20:10, Heb. 11:37, I Pet. 2:14, and many others.

(2)       Grand Jury Abuse. B/R, p. 503

Here the teachings in Matt 7:1 (Judge not....) are distorted to make this passage appear to apply to the judicial grand jury system as tool for the suppression of anti-war activists, minorities, and political dissidents. This is an example of the sophomoric nature of many positions in this book.

(3)       Responsible Parenthood, Sexual Violence and Pornography. B/R, pp. 125-128.

This broad section covers: abortion, parenthood, sexuality, population expansion, health care, genetics, venereal disease, extended family, and cultural diversities of groups. There are no references to scripture cited except for the obscure Nelson reference in The Christian Century cited below. The general tone of the language of this section is devoid of any meaningful reference to scripture. When scripture is cited it is frequently vague and loosely connected to the point being made. Example: p.128 where Genesis 1:27;31 is connected to an obscure reference:  J. B. Nelson who states “...sexual sins lie not in being too sexual, but  in not being sexual enough in the way God has intended us to be.” We missed the connection of this thought to any known Christian principles. Appropriate Biblical references for this section are: I Cor. 6:9-20; II Cor. 12:14; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; Jer. 2:20, Jer. 3:6; Ezek. 16:3-22; Exod.  20:12; Lev. 19:3; Deut. 5:16

(4)       Affirmative Action. B/R, p. 159-160

talks about biblical teachings but makes no citations from scripture while  discussing a secular book ( G. Myrdak, An American Dilemma, 1944). The absurd notion is put forth in this section that “...affirmative action is...essentially moral and spiritual in nature.” Affirmative Action efforts do have many legitimate concerns  but some of this is activity is based on political activism, revenge, reverse discrimination, and greed.

(5)       Affirming a Diversity of Language.  B/R, p 162-164.

Here opponents of a multi-lingual nation, which would present monumental problems in communication, education and other civil areas, are curtly labeled as racists. These opponents are accused of “..[being] involved in various legislative and lobbying activities.” These obvious democratic rights and privileges of the opponents to legal due process are “...another manifestation of the systemic racism which has infested this country for generations.” Radical comments and the churlish tone of this sort of attack are not scriptural in nature, but belong to a select group of self-anointed political activists.

(6)       Racism.   B/R, p 258-259 A list of organizations, including the KKK,

Nazi Party, Posse Comitatus, etc. are condemned, and justly so. No corresponding left-wing political or military organizations are mentioned such as: The JDL, Shining Path, the Black Panthers, L. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, etc., although some of these organizations practice racism and anti-Semitism according to the guidelines of the B/R. Omitting several obvious racist organizations in this manner, while condemning racism in general, is clear evidence of political bias.

(7)       B/R, p. 633. The islands are Culebra and Vieques. This concern pales

In contrast to one million deaths in Phnom Penh in Kampuchea (formerly  Cambodia).

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