I am proud to be a United Methodist today.

[Staph]

http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/united-methodist-bishops-condemn-president-trumps-offensive-remarks-against

We are appalled by the offensive, disgusting words attributed to President Donald Trump who is said to have referred to immigrants from African countries and Haiti, and the countries themselves, in an insulting and derogative manner. According to various media accounts, President Trump made the remarks during a White House discussion with lawmakers on immigration.

As reported, President Trump’s words are not only offensive and harmful, they are racist.

We call upon all Christians, especially United Methodists, to condemn this characterization and further call for President Trump to apologize.

As United Methodists, we cherish our brothers and sisters from all parts of the world and we believe that God loves all creation regardless of where they live or where they come from. As leaders of our global United Methodist Church, we are sickened by such uncouth language from the leader of a nation that was founded by immigrants and serves as a beacon to the world’s “huddled masses longing to be free.”

Thousands of our clergy, laity and other highly skilled, productive citizens are from places President Trump has defamed with his comments. The fact that he also insists the United States should consider more immigrants from Europe and Asia demonstrates the racist character of his comments. This is a direct contradiction of God’s love for all people. Further, these comments on the eve of celebrating Martin Luther King Day belies Dr. King's witness and the United States’ ongoing battle against racism.

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, whose parents during his infancy, had to flee to Africa to escape from the wrath of King Herod. Millions of immigrants across the globe are running away from such despicable and life-threatening events. Hence, we have the Christian duty to be supportive of them as they flee political, cultural and social dangers in their native homes.

We will not stand by and allow our brothers and sisters to be maligned in such a crude manner. We call on all United Methodists, all people of faith, and the political leadership of the United States to speak up and speak against such demeaning and racist comments.

Christ reminds us that it is by love that they will know that we are Christians. Let’s demonstrate that love for all of God’s people by saying no to racism; no to discrimination and no to bigotry.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough
President – Council of Bishops

This is what real Christians look like, not Tom Cotton or Paul Ryan or even Franklin Graham. Yes, I know, my church has some problems, especially with our stance on LBGTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. But they are working on that, too. The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

[Ilsa]

1. Me too. In spite of

internal struggles with our changing culture, UMC remains committed first to the values of Christ, that all are loved by God and are due respect and compassion from one another.

[BootinUp]

2. Good. nt

[TomSlick]

3. Good for the Methodists.

[Glorfindel]

4. Yes, me too.

n/t

[Skittles]

5. actually it is just what non racists look like

[Staph]

6. Agreed!

One doesn't have to be a person of faith to be a non-racist. But those phonies I mentioned above are giving the rest of us a really bad name.

I've been thinking lately of contacting Ron Reagan and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (though funds are really tight now with the big increase in my health insurance premium). I strongly believe that the place of religion is in the house of worship and in private and public spaces. But not in public schools or government buildings. If I can not show you my faith through my actions, forcing it down your throat through legal means will not do the job.

(I think I've wandered off the subject a bit here, and I'm not sure that I have adequately shown how much I agree with your post. I had chemo this afternoon, and I'm a bit stupid!)

[Skittles]

8. understood

wishing you good luck with your chemo, Staph

[grantcart]

14. Get better, we need you.

[Lint Head]

7. Proudly raised as one. My Granddad was a Methodist Minister.

As was my uncle and as is my cousin.

[True Blue American]

15. My G Grandfather

Was a Methodist Minister. I was so proud of him. He lived until I was 35. He would be very pleased today with his Church.

I can still remember going to church with him in Southern Ohio. We had 5 generations.

[Honeycombe8]

9. What an excellent response to DT. And unexpected. And fearless. I was raised Methodist...

I'm not any religion now. But I am proud that this was from the Methodist organization.

[Cha]

10. Good on the United Methodists!

Mahalo, Staph

[Mountain Mule]

11. The Methodists have put the Christ back in Christianity!

I was raised Christian and attend the local Methodist Church. There have been times - especially lately when I have felt almost ashamed to admit that I am Christian. But tonight I feel proud to be a Methodist. Thank you so much for posting this and proving once again that not all Christians are Evangelicals who have lost their way and worship money and hypocrisy rather than Christ.

May the God of your understanding bless you and every single one of us.

Thank you!

[irisblue]

12. 👏👏👏👏👏

[AwakeAtLast]

13. I am, too!