?

If revelation comes from a god, is it the language expressed in revelation that is divine in origin, or is it the interpreted language(s) that is divine?

The minister in question officiated at the marriage of his son to his same-sex spouse. In response, the United Methodist Church is defrocking the minister.

Even the Catholics don't go that far! (Not that there are a lot of admitted fathers among the Catholic clergy.)

Should Methodists who support equal marriage rights respond? Should they symbolically "defrock the church" by refusing their financial support until principled dissent is not so harshly dealt with? What other responses would make sense to you?

Here's a link to an article describing the current state of affairs: http://news.yahoo.com/u-pastor-performed-son-39-ga...

Secondarily it has been demonstrated (and frequently experienced) that distinct differences emerge between expressed language (what is said or written) and interpreted language (what is heard or read).

If revelation comes from a god, is it the language expressed in revelation that is divine in origin, or is it the language as heard and interpreted that originates with the divine?

Is there any worthwhile argument that says Christians who get a divorce should (a) not remarry or (b) should try to reconcile and remarry their first spouses, even after they have married a second (or third) time?

The less self-righteous Christians too often appear absent from the public debate about same-sex couples' rights.

What would it take for you to speak out against the idea that, to be Christian, you must also be anti-gay? Could you see yourself signing a petition to urge your fellow Christians to stop discriminating?

Here's an example of just such a petition: https://www.change.org/petitions/christians-public...

What would it take for you to sign and publicize a petition like that?

I wonder how folks discern the most POSITIVE and most NEGATIVE that each of the political parties' various approaches to meeting society's needs. This includes the worst part of your own party affiliation, and the best part of opposing party's ideas.

Therefore let me ask the following question, in hopes of finding some wise, astute, and open-minded answers:

What is the single BEST REASON and the single WORST REASON for supporting each of the following political parties/movements:

Democrat/Liberal/Labour?

Libertarian?

Republican/Conservative/Tory?

Socialist?

Gay or Lesbian couples can find a variety of reactions when they show up at a new church, synagogue, mosque, etc.

How does your own spiritual community respond when a same-sex couple (with or without children) joins you for worship?

Many US Protestant churches schismed over the slavery issue. Some still haven't reunited.

What were the theological arguments that divided these denominations (and often individual congregations)?

If life without an afterlife is meaningless, what does life mean in the afterlife if there's no ending to it?

Does the packaging come with English instructions?

How much are the standard per-minute local charges?

They look similar, but do the dimensions fit together?

Please rank the following 1-through-5, in order of importance. Also please indicate your personal faith/non-faith affiliation.

___ Church, mosque, or other religious affiliation

___ Political party affiliation

___ Marital status (present and history)

___ Military service

___ Education success (school performance)

What is your own faith/non-faith affiliation: ____________.

Do you think your faith/non-faith affiliation had an impact on the order that you ranked your list? If so, how?

Please be as specific as you can.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

For example, from your doctor when a diagnosis is unsure?

From a builder who is repairing your roof?

From a pastor regarding life after death?