IUMC takes up issue of same-sex marriage

Immanuel United Methodist Church members recently met to discuss their views on same-sex marriage in response to the CNMI Legislature’s appeal for the public to express their views on the issue.

This came on the heels of House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial’s introduction of House Legislative Initiative 14-3, which aims to limit marriage to people of opposite sexes only.

Pastor Bud Carroll called the meeting to give IUMC members an opportunity to express their personal views about same-sex marriage.

“We’re grateful that our church is a safe place for people to express their views, even when differences arise. We gather today, not to fight or debate, but to share in Christian love our individual experiences, thoughts and feelings about the holiness of marriage,” said Pastor Bud in his opening remarks.

Participants were first asked, “What do you consider the most important ingredients for a happy marriage?” The wide variety of responses given included: commitment to God; mutual understanding and equality; a commitment of permanence to one another; mutual respect, kindness and love; a feeling of safety and security with each other; and open communication regardless of race and sexual orientation. One member commented, “Many people marry for companionship.”

Several participants noted that faithfulness within marriage is most important, not whether it’s a same-sex or opposite sex union. One member remarked, “The CNMI government and religious groups should be more concerned about teen pregnancies, incest, and flagrant unfaithfulness in marriage, not whether a couple who desires a faithful marriage is of same or opposite sexes.”

While many participants spoke in favor of allowing same-sex marriages, others shared opposite views. One member strongly commented, “Love between same-sexes is abnormal,” while another said, “Those in a same sex relationship feel their love is just as normal as love is to an opposite sex relationship.” Still another participant noted, “I feel same-sex marriages would in no way threaten my or others’ heterosexual marriages and am against banning same-sex marriages.”

One husband-and-wife couple shared their views: “We believe any two consenting adults willing to make a serious lifelong commitment to one another should be allowed to marry. We believe that gays and lesbians, just like heterosexuals, are made in God’s image—and God doesn’t make mistakes! We believe it’s presumptuous for us as a society to tell certain people they cannot marry the one they love simply because God chose to make them gay or lesbian.”

The discussion ended on these words, “We may have varied views about same-sex marriage, but we strongly agree that any marriage, whether same-sex or opposite sex, must be based on mutual trust and faithfulness.”

Multi-national IUMC seeks to follow The United Methodist Church’s motto, “Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds.” IUMC welcomes people of all nationalities, young and old, single or couples of opposite or same-sex relationships.

Worship services and children’s Sunday School meet Sundays at 9am on As Lito Road, Koblerville.

For more information, call Pastor Bud at 322-6158.