The United Methodist Church (UMC) has overwhelmingly given its stamp of approval to same-sex marriages.
The 523-161 vote to make the change came last week, according to WTVD, Durham, United States.
Several delegates opposed the changes, including Nimia Peralta of the Philippines, who said: “God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman”.
She rejected the convention’s proposal that allows rules to be adapted to various regions, saying, “God’s word can never be regionalised”.
Liberian delegate, Rev. Jerry Kulah of the Africa Initiative, said Methodists are “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.
“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ‘s teaching on marriage and sexual morality”.
In a video posted to X, he explained his reasons for opposing the change.
“I have my Bible in my hand, and this is the word of God”, he began.
Kulah was interrupted and quizzed for his reasons for speaking against the amendment allowing same-sex marriage.
He then continued: “I’m speaking against the amendment because we do not have another Bible apart from this Bible”.
“So we cannot have the two of same that the amendment offers. And so I vote against the amendment.
“When it comes to the issue of human sexuality, the Bible is very emphatic that we have marriage between a man and a woman. And that’s what our current Book of Discipline holds”.
Kulah further said: “Every attempt has been made to alter God’s biblical truth. Today, we have a majority General Conference characterized by liberals and progressives who are doing everything to change the Bible to something else. Because of that, I vote against this amendment”.
The amendment to which Kulah objected stated: “Marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community”, according to UM News.
Other African delegates echoed Kulah’s comment. A delegate from the Central Nigeria Conference Virginia Bambur said: “We do not believe we know better than the Bible.
“I’m not happy about it. You cannot change the Word of God”.
Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria said the decision would have ramifications for the denomination in Africa.
“I’m very sure this will affect the membership of the church in Africa”, he said.
Kulah offered a similar thought.
“We return to Africa with important decisions to make regarding the future”, he said.
According to the website, Beyond These Walls, Kulah is an Elder in UMC. He is the Dean of the Bishop Innis Graduate School of Theology and Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies at the United Methodist University, Monrovia, Liberia.
Source: https://www.westernjournal.com/
