Many persons have asked questions about the United Methodist position on the health-care coverage plan passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 22. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned in a speech that The United Methodist Church had advocated for health care reform (see the UMNS release). General Conference, the only body that speaks officially for The United Methodist Church, has taken no stand on current legislation, but has been a strong advocate for universal health care.
Resolution 3201 in The UM Book of Resolutions 2008 states the position on health-care coverage passed by the 2008 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
The General Board of Church and Society is the social advocacy agency of The United Methodist Church. Its responsibilities are outlined in ¶¶1002-1004 of the Book of Discipline 2008. Part of those responsibilities includes educating legislators about the positions of The United Methodist Church.
Under Internal Revenue Service definition, the work of the General Board of Church and Society is advocacy, not lobbying, because this agency is not asking Congress for anything that benefits the church, but for measures that benefit others. The agency definitely does not offer gifts or perks to influence voting.
More information can be found in ¶162 of the Book of Discipline 2008.
Sounds like the UMC is backpeddling as fast as it can…and it should!
Since when does a religious entity voice its “opinion” publicly. Make no mistake, Pelosi jumped on it as fast as she could…because it was said!
I now have a MUCH smaller opinion of the UMC!
I think there may be more to this than has been revealed by either the UMC or the media. It would be my hope that the UMC did stay out of this issue with any specificity to the bill that narrowly passed Congress. Being for some form of universal health care is not the same as being for this particular Frankenstein bill.
The UMC needs to make a firm public statement explaining its position and confirming that it either was or was not supportive, in part or in whole, of the bill that became law.
The UMC, like too many other denominations, has been becoming more liberal and less scriptural every year in recent memory.
I wouldn’t want to be part of a church who didn’t state publicly what they supported. The Methodist Church did not support a particular health care bill; they supported the idea that health care is a basic human right. Few Christian would disagree with that.
Nancy, I guess I’m one of the few Christians that does not consider health care to be a basic human right. This link explains my position on the subject very effectively:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=3455819&ct=8117477
I was very upset to hear the remarks made by Nancy Palosi, that the UMC supported the health care bill. I am a delegate to conference and I can not remember voting on any health care bill. I know many people are very upset and I think the UMC needs to make a public statement before this gets out of hand. People are angry about what is going on behind our backs
When we as Christian respond to our churches with sharp words and insensitive comments, with not purpose, and no intention on healing the world we are being everything but Christians. If the statement above makes you reconsider you connection with UMC then are you sure you were committed any way? If you disagree with what the UMC is stating or doing then go to the Lord in prayer first. Then discuss the issue among your church, discussing how it matches up with experience, church history and of course scripture. Do not just say the statement does not match up with scripture. Point the scripture out plain and clear. Then talk with your pastor, the people in your district, and other who can change church policy and if there is a consensus change can be made. But the statements above help Zero number of people. So my question is why would someone come to this page and write in such a way. Are they writing this way because the love the Lord and other people? By the way liberation is what scripture is about. I am a liberal because of my beliefs and my liberal thoughts have not driven me to live an unholy life but to be more responsible for the liberation I help create for others. I am thankful that Jesus came to set us free through fulfilling the word.
In response to Channelle I would submit that Scripture is not about liberation but rather Christ’s saving grace. It is about responsibility to the Lord, one’s self, family, and community–in that order. Scripture points out repeatedly not everyone will be treated equally (the vineyard parable), yet we are to give thanks. The idea that we must hug one another and sing “Cumbaya” is a hoot. The USA is the most compassionate country in the world. All have access to health care—a huge difference from health insurance — which is a benefit for those who have EARNED such. I know that doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. But the fact is, once again, those who work are paying for those who do not work (for whatever reason). And it will do nothing but diminish the health care provided to all. The idea behind all of this is to destroy the greatest medical system in the world.
The Bill passed by the Democratic majority after bending over backwards to get Republicans to join, in spite of including over 200 hundred of their amendments, is not, as President Obama has said, a perfect Bill but a step in the right direction. Before one builds a house, he or she, must secure money, find a lot, purchase, dig a foundation, lay the foundation, and build upon it. This is a good start towards guaranteeing all Americans universal health care. The foundation is in; now we can build the house, make the necessary adjustments and move towards a more perfect bill. Saying “no!” to everything will not work for the American people. We are smarter and can see through tainted desires. America is bigger than what the Republican and Tea Partiers are trying to do.
Ride on Democrats! Take courage, Democrats! You have dug us out a deep hole; the recession is over; jobs are coming back; the economy is beginning to take on slow growth! You are on the right track. America is one nation; one people! All are capable of serving, and will! No more one sided politics!
Government health care is a fundamentally evil position and is in direct opposition of 2 Corinthians Chapter 9, verse 11,
11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with
them and with all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you
because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15Thanks
be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians chapter 9
The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition),
copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
–Summary: Generosity should come directly from Christians in the name of God so that he will be praised. Note that generosity from a government will result in praise to the government and withdrawn from God.
How can you not see Gov health care as evil? Church funded health care is noble and serves God.
Jesus commanded that You help the poor, sick, and lame. Not Caesar.