Tea Party Nation Founder: Let's Get Rid Of The 'Socialist' Methodist Church

[meegbear]

Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips has a dream: "No more Methodist Church."

A blog post on his Tea Party Nation page says that on Friday he walked by the United Methodist Building in Washington D.C., which had a sign that said, "Pass the DREAM Act." Phillips wrote: " I have a DREAM. That is, no more United Methodist Church."

Phillips explains that he was formerly a member of the church, but he left because it's "the first Church of Karl Marx," and "little more than the "religious" arm of socialism."

"The Methodist church is pro-illegal immigration," he continues. "They have been in the bag for socialist health care, going as far as sending out emails to their membership "debunking" the myths of Obamacare. Say, where are the liberal complaints on the separation of church and state?"

"In short, if you hate America, you have a great future in the Methodist church," he says.

Phillips has recently argued that it's a "wise idea" to only let property owners vote. He's also defended an email he wrote calling for supporters to help "retire" Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) because "he is the only Muslim member of congress."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/tea_party_nation_founder_lets_get_rid_of_the_socia.php?ref=fpb

[drm604]

1. Just how does he propose to get rid of the Methodist Church?

Talk about hubris.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. I'm sure he can find something in the constitution to allow him

He's very keen on the constitution, after all, and I can't believe he'd ever suggest anything not allowed by a strict interpretation of it.

[fascisthunter]

11. maybe genocide

makes one wonder

[DBoon]

21. with enough money from wealthy right wingers

I'm sure they will find a way.

and their way will not be pretty

[AspenRose]

31. They've been attempting to do this for years now

And not just with Methodists. They've infiltrated every mainstream denomination.

[toddwv]

119. State-sponsored religion

it's their goal. The teabaggers idea of "freedom" is the freedom to worship the same religion they do, speak the same language that they do and listen to whatever the corporations tell you that you can do.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Asshate.

:puke:

I call for MORE Methodist churhes! They sound alright by me. :applause:

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Yes. More Methodists, and more Unitarians.

[woodsprite]

26. And more Presbyterians, as long as they're liberal ones

like mine :)

[geardaddy]

28. And more Congregationalists...

at least the liberal ones.

[mwooldri]

51. I'd add mainline Anglican churches to that mix too...

I *love* Article 37 of the 38 Articles of Faith, as ratified by Elizabeth I in 1571, and pre-dates the much beloved King James Bible.

[aquart]

Well, I'm amused.

[Pathwalker]

3. By their works you shall know them.

Methodists believe in following those words, so they believe in helping their fellow man. Prolly why this guy hates them. Asshole.

[WCGreen]

5. Truly an ass hole....

[Critters2]

64. On some issues. The Methodists are AWFUL about glbt issues.

Why the assumption that they're liberal because this idiot says so?

[Pathwalker]

67. The Methodists I know, knew were from a different era.

My late In-laws were Methodists, and my husband was raised a Methodists. THEY were/are liberal.
They are the Methodists I knew/know. Why did you assume I said what I did just because this idiot
said what he did?
Every damned Methodist I've ever met has been a Democrat, and community activist. Other denominations, not so much.

[Critters2]

68. ALL the Methodists I know are Conservative Evangelicals--

not a cintilla of difference between them and Southern Baptists. Absolutely hateful to gay persons, as is the denomination's official position. I'm amazed at how that's okay among these "liberals".

[Pathwalker]

71. I guess our experiences cancel each other out, then.

I was raised by Southern Baptists - hateful people who whacked me over the head with the Bible. I was told that I had one place in life - as a servant for the man I married and as breeder of children. I'll take the Methodists.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Critters2]

75. Talk to glbt Methodists about their experiences.

Methodists whack them over the heads with the Bible. And tell them they have one place in life--single and celibate. Oh, and not ordained.

You can take the Methodists. You're straight. A little discrimination among liberals never hurt anyone.

[Pathwalker]

80. I'm not a Methodist. I am not a member of ANY religion.

One of the main reasons I refuse to have anything to do with religion is because of their exclusionary beliefs; it's always one group or another, or a bunch of them. I refuse to accept discrimination against people, whatever reason they're using to justify it. And discrimination against anyone hurts everyone. Period.

As for the Bible whacking - I was speaking literally, not figuratively.

[cordelia]

84. I'm gay and was raised as a Methodist

The small, rural church I attended as a youth welcomed anyone. Didn't matter.

Anyone in the community had a problem, we'd try to help them as best as we could. I'm not active in that church now, but have family who is, and they still go out of their way to help those who need a hand. No application or interview required.

And if you don't think the Methodist church, or at least some of them, don't welcome members of the LGBT community, you might want to take in services at St. Mark's in Atlanta.

Can't speak for all Methodist churches, and can't agree with some of their stances at the top, but I won't condemn the entire denomination based on what I've seen and been involved with at local levels.

[cordelia]

87. delete - dupe

[Island Blue]

109. I'm not a Christian

but most of my extended family (and a few of my friends) are Southern Baptist and they are the most loving, caring people you ever want to meet. Most would give you the shirt off of their back and their last dollar if you needed it. Funny how that canceling out of experiences works. Of course I do know that there are a lot of really hateful Southern Baptists in the world, ...

As for Methodists, I know quite a few of them as well. Most are okay, but there does seem to be an strong Evangelical movement afoot among the ones that I know. Not that that's necessarily bad - not all Evangelicals are evil either. Of course there are some that are.

[Maru Kitteh]

85. You didn't notice the UMC television commercials that welcome GLBT couples? I did.

I don't think your experience is representative of the larger reality.

[Critters2]

92. I didn't because the UMC has never produced such commercials.

You may be thinking of the United Church of Christ. If not, could you post such a commercial? The United Methodist Church's official policy is that "homosexuality is incompatible with the practice of the Christian faith". So, no glbt couples in their commercials.

[DaveinJapan]

86. Aren't *most* churches awful on glbt issues? nt

[Critters2]

95. Most, but not all. The UMC likes to give people the impression that it is

liberal, in the same way that the UUA, the UCC, and the Episcopalians are...but it's position on glbt issues is actually the same as that of the Southern Baptist Convention or the Mormons.

[BrightKnight]

106. Methodists are nothing like Baptists

I was dragged to Baptist Churches as a child and Methodists are nothing like that. They really are tolerant and they are not hate based. The GLBT restrictions are wrong and completely unacceptable but it is not the whole story. In my experience the restriction was not rigorously enforced.

In any case the Methodist church has wanted to reconcile with the Episcopal church for a long time. If they are absorbed the Episcopalian rules would probably be followed.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7023713.ece

[mikeytherat]

108. Not all Methodists are this way - check this out from the front of our church's website:

"Centenary United Methodist Church is Virginia’s first United Methodist Reconciling Congregation, extending hospitality and encouraging full participation of all, regardless of age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, educational or economic background, and physical or mental ability."

centumc.org

mikey_the_rat

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Why are total schmucks like that even getting time on the media????

In times past he would have been consigned to the little corner reserved for those that should be totally ignored by the coherent members of the human race.

[DBoon]

22. to lend creedence to their eliminationist rhetoric

and to make everyone to the left of Atilla the Hun look respectable

[bemildred]

8. Maroon. nt

[fascisthunter]

9. These People Have no Tolerance for Anything Different from Themselves

that's why their ideology is so bankrupt, mythical and dangerous.

"Religious Freedom" :eyes:

[HughBeaumont]

10. I have a DREAM -

That dicks like Judson would be involved in a mass DIE-off so this nation can progress once and for all.

[Zoeisright]

12. What a fucking idiot.

He obviously hates this country - wants to suppress and destroy religion, doesn't want people to vote - I mean, why don't you just burn a flag and piss on the Constitution, you wanker?

[FrancisTreptoe]

13. Is it just me or are there way to many people like this in the U.S?

[HughBeaumont]

30. Not just you.

Certain "Chris-chuns" have always considered Methodism a "lesser denomination", likely because people who attend the Methodist church tend to be more Democratic and open to others and are far less batshit, speak-in-tongues, hate-teaching, End-Times, hellfire-n-brimstone insane about their faith.

It's kind of the reason I stopped going to church altogether around about 15 years old.

[madrchsod]

36. actually they are pissed because we have better food.....

i stopped going to church in 1960 but i`m still a methodist at heart.

[AspenRose]

43. "...pissed because we have better food..."

:rofl: WIN. :D

Duke it out with the Lutherans to see who has the best potlucks. ;-)

[madrchsod]

35. the majority of people do`t wear their religion on their sleeve

guys like this are just fame whores who are trolling for a dollar. he`d be in the front row cheering on while jesus was being hung on the cross.

interesting selection of music...got to look at fm later

[Dulcinea]

14. How very Christian of him.

Matthew 25: 35-40 "‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ "

[hfojvt]

15. too bad George W. Bush was a methodist

Sam Brownback too, before he switched to some type of flagellating Catholicism.

[Critters2]

66. And Dick Cheney. Yeah. What a bunch of liberals. nt

[jobycom]

16. Next they'll want to allow Samaritans as immigrants! nt

[Ganja Ninja]

17. I've said it before and I'll say it again.

The Tea Party is nothing more than a national association of neighborhood assholes.

[TheKentuckian]

32. Astroturfed Laissez Fare Klan rallies and radical anti-western civilization terrorist organizations.

[GOPBasher]

18. Wow, I'm an atheist, but this guy just got me to like the Methodist church!

I'm glad he brought to my attention the wonderful things that the Methodist church stands for. Also, I'm glad this fascist fucker is sprouting his mouth off, so people get a good glimpse of what this TEA party is really all about.

Thanks Mr. Phillips, you fucking nutcase.

[Crystal Clarity]

38. Not just Methodists. Many people who identify themselves

as Christians are Liberal and believe in social justice.

Guys like this idiot, along with many other loud mouthed fundies have been jerks to us for years. The most recent attack of note would be the Glenn Beck crap about how "evil" Social Justice Christians are. You may remember Beck's raving about Social Justice over the summer... that was actually about US... (left leaning Christians)

You'd be surprised how large we are in number. But we are not the people Atheists take issue with. In fact I doubt many know we exist because we don't shove our religious beliefs down your throats.

And in the realm of politics, we are pretty much like our Atheist and Agnostic friends here on DU... (except of course for the God thing ;-))

[GOPBasher]

46. Oh I knew that there are plenty of liberal Christians, but I just didn't know that the Methodist

church, in particular, is such a liberal institution.

Now that you mentioned it, I do remember Beck shouting his mouth about Social Justice. That's funny; Beck's such an asshat.

[Crystal Clarity]

52. Actually I didn't either

I knew that they were along the spectrum of churches I would consider going to if I were so inclined, but wasn't fully aware of the extent of their contributions to social justice and the liberal cause.

It's been fun talking w/you GOPBasher. And happy winter solstice! :hi:

[Critters2]

62. You wouldn't be welcome if you're gay. That's the official policy. nt

[Crystal Clarity]

78. If that is the case, then you are right

I would not feel comfortable there either.

I've not attended church for anything other then weddings and funerals for my entire adult life because I intensely dislike and fear judgmental attitudes that many so-called 'Christians' exhibit toward my/our fellow human beings, no matter how they try to cloak it.

Sadly I see this type of thing among so-called 'Christians' probably more then most any other group, however these things I know are NOT the teachings of Christ. In his day, Christ railed against the 'religious people' more then ANYONE because of their hypocrisies.

I've gone abit off-track here, but my original point is the same. I cannot and will not even attempt to morally judge other people for ANY reason. That is not my place nor would I want it to be. And if some church or organization does it, I want no part of that.

So I guess, if what you say of the Methodists are true, I'll continue down my own path. :-)

[Maru Kitteh]

88. Please provide a link to this lie you keep repeating? We have gay and transgendered who are

leaders in our Methodist congregation. They are VERY welcome and well-respected.

[Critters2]

93. Here's your official policy, from the UMC Book of Discipline

http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1324

Here are the relevant portions:

"The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals1 are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.2
. "Self-avowed practicing homosexual" is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, board of ordained ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844, 984.
2. See Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985.
¶ 341.6
Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.

Regarding the General Council on Finance and Administration
¶ 806.9
shall be responsible for ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality"

[Critters2]

94. From the UMC Book of Discipline

Regarding clergy
¶ 304.3
While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals1 are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.2
1. "Self-avowed practicing homosexual" is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, board of ordained ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844, 984.
2. See Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985.
¶ 341.6
Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.
Regarding the General Council on Finance and Administration
¶ 806.9
shall be responsible for ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality
(From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2008.

[BrightKnight]

107. If they reconcile with the Episcopal Church the rule might change.

The Methodist church has wanted to reconcile with the Episcopal church for a long time. If they are absorbed by the Episcopal church the rules might change here. I don't think that it would be a difficult adjustment.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7023713.ece

[GOPBasher]

111. There might be a big difference between "official policy" and the effective practice of

individual churches.

The fact is, there are plenty of liberal churches. If I still held a belief in the Christian religion, I wouldn't be afraid of finding a church that lined up with my social views; I know they're out there.

[GOPBasher]

110. Thank you!

It's been nice talking to you too. Merry Christmas! :toast:

[Critters2]

61. It isn't. This guy is an asshat, which probably means he's wrong. nt

[harun]

19. What a hate filled monster.

[Vickers]

20. That guy would like TOTALLY hate Jesus. n/t

[smiley]

23. in that case...

I'm proud to have been raised in the methodist church.

[Kennah]

24. Jesus Loves You, Judson Phillips ...

... but the rest of us think you're an asshat.

[StandingInLeftField]

45. Response of the Day!

Love it!

[polmaven]

25. This article

makes me very, very happy to be an active member of the United Methodist Church!

[madrchsod]

27. shove it up your ass jud...

proud member of the methodist church and i`m proud of all the good deeds our people have done over the years. well... excluding the war criminal bush.

[AspenRose]

29. Since I'm a Methodist, I wonder if this'll buy me some DU street cred.

[Stevenmarc]

33. Well that frees him up to join Westboro Baptist

[raouldukelives]

44. Yes, I think he would fit in nicely

[Critters2]

69. The UMC thinks God hates fags, too. Or at least doesn't want them to be married, or ordained,

or happy. What's the difference?

[Maru Kitteh]

90. Our UMC congregation has gay and transgender lay leaders.

So again, since you are the one making the assertion that gay people are not welcome and that the UMC thinks God hates fags - it's incumbent upon you to prove that gay people are not welcome, and the other nonsense too.

[Critters2]

91. The official position of the United Methodist Church

is that "homosexuality is incompatible with the practice of the Christian faith". The UMC does not allow same-sex weddings to take place on any UMC-owned property (including your church), forbids clergy from celebrating such ceremonies even in states which recognize them, and refuses to ordain lgbt persons. This includes your congregation, because the UMC is not a congregational denomination. It has national policies on all of these matters. You may allow lgbt persons to hold some office, but they can't be ordained or married there. That doesn't seem very welcoming to me.

[blondeatlast]

34. Wait'll he hears about the

Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and, well, just about every mainstream Xtian denomination.

[eilen]

115. I don't think he likes Catholics either.

I'm waiting with bated breath for his plan to invade the Vatican with his 2nd Amendment solooootions....

[Dawson Leery]

37. The teaklan/baggers/party/nuts do not believe in democracy.

They are the vehicle to allow the hard right wing Republicans back into power.

[ljm2002]

39. Good.

The more these extremists come out into the open, the more they expose their bizarre world view, the more people will see them for what they truly are and will stop following them.

I suspect there are more than a few Tea Partiers of the Methodist persuasion. I hope that they see this, and are reminded of this statement at every opportunity.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

40. Tee-hee. My wife is a United Methodist and a Marxist.

[democracy1st]

41. so many bigots keeping making my case!

[Erose999]

42. I missed the days when the fundies were fighting amongst themselves instead of the rest of us.

We need to bring back the days when the only culture war these people were fighting was the dunkers against the sprinklers.

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. This eliminationist language is classic

of extreme right wing, yes let' s use the term, NAZI or FASCIST movements.

It is NO JOKE.

[DBoon]

50. first you eliminate church/state separation

then you get to decide that certain churches are guilty of treason

[Kennah]

48. It is people like Obergruppenführer Judson Phillips ...

... that should cause thinking leftists to reconsider opposition to private ownership of firearms. We aren't that far away from teabaggers getting away with murder. They are already getting away with assault.

[LaurenG]

49. get rid of it? So if you don't agree with others you just "get rid of them" now?

I guess people like this will just continue to crawl out from under their rocks and out of their sewers. I am shocked at the amount of people who think like this. If you don't agree with someone, no big deal just "get rid of them." Creepy...

[AlinPA]

53. He is the leader of the republican base, no surprise there.

[MilesColtrane]

54. Careful there, Judson.

Your shit-stomping, drooling, nuttiness is starting to show.

Better keep that under wraps if you want to raise money for a 2012 candidate.

[Sparkly]

55. HA!! I love it!!

Let me explain...

My Mom's family was Methodist, in Oklahoma. My aunt, 14 years older than Mom, remembered a lot more about the Methodist parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles than Mom did, and it seems they were pretty staid -- particularly one "Aunt Leota."

We grew up in Congregational church in New England. Then I found myself working at a Unitarian Universalist church, directing a resident dance company. When I described my work -- including dancing in bare feet in church services -- Mom's older sister gasped, "Aunt Leota would turn over in her grave!!"

So now Aunt Leota and the other Methodists in my background aren't uptight any more -- they're "the religious arm of Socialism!!"

I always knew Aunt Leota couldn't be all bad.

:evilgrin:

[Tsiyu]

56. Of the few self-professed Christians known to me personally,

who I believe live their faith, most are Methodists.

Some take water purification systems to Africa; some run a mission here in Appalachia that does home repairs; two are staunch Democrats and those who run businesses believe in paying a decent living wage to the local people when they hire them.


No wonder the Tea Party hates them....

[Sparkly]

57. Hell, the Bible tells me Jesus was a Socialist.

I don't see how anybody could read it otherwise.

Help the poor.
Give up materialism.
Turn the other cheek.
Love your neighbor.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What you do to the least of them you do to me.
Judge not lest you be judged.
By their deeds, not their words, you'll know them.
Etc., etc., etc....

[Tsiyu]

72. Exactly

I don't believe any of it personally, as far as the whole Jesus thing, but I do agree with that manner of living one's life.

but if you profess to believe it you oughta try to live it.

Being a decent person is criminal to the teabaggers.

[BrightKnight]

102. Yeah, and some Methodists actually read it. - n/t

[Critters2]

58. The United Methodist position on glbt issues is exactly the same as that

of the Southern Baptist Convention. No gay ordinations, no same sex marriage, no tolerance. I don't know what you discuss with your self-professed Christian friends, but it isn't gay rights.

[Tsiyu]

73. Well I've seen them hire and serve glbt people

so I take it they have no issue of discrimination in the workplace

i do not know the church's tenets, but if they are like the catholic and baptist and half the episcopalian blah blah blah they are all far removed from the actions of members.

I spoke only to the actions of the Methodists i know, not about their church's positions on these matters.

i agree the church's position would be wrong, on those issues.

[Critters2]

76. Their church's positions are voted on by the lay membership.

If they really disagreed, they wouldn't be Methodist.

[Tsiyu]

96. you've got a point

i don't understand pro-choice catholics or pro-card playing and dancing and drinking Baptists but they are out there too.

[Critters2]

59. I'm confused. Many of the least tolerant people I know are Methodist.

Their attitude toward glbt persons is downright medieval.

[Sparkly]

63. Oh, please don't burst my bubble.

I was just starting to feel good about my Great-Aunt Leota's branch of the family tree. (As above.)

[Critters2]

65. I'll let the United Methodist Church speak for itself--

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5066287&content_id={1F6BAEA8-E9EE-4867-B892-2F6871C78CB6}¬oc=1

Here are the relevant quotes:


"Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."

and

"The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. "

For the life of me, I can't figure out why people think Methodists are liberals.

[BrightKnight]

100. Most Methodists In my churches could be called liberal. -- the rest of the quote:

"All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence..."

..."We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self.

The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons...."

I do not agree with the Homosexuality is incompatible part and I have never heard a sermon about it. I am sure that it has happened. Methodists tend to be tolerant generally get that Christianity is NOT about hate.

Christianity is a broad road and you will find many bumper stickers in the church parking lot.

[AnneD]

116. I really don't know what Methodist....

pissed in your Wheaties Critter2 but let me be the first to apologize. No one should have that much hurt inside them that they are as bitter as your posts seem to reflect. For that I am sincerely sorry.

And let me ask this, what is more important, the written law or the spirit in which the law is enforced. Methodist are allowed to use their brains and heart. I am aware of what has been written, but it is the most ignored rule. I predict it will so fall by the way officially. Our Pastor has encouraged gay rights on more than one occasion and our openly gay mayor included our church in her campaign stops. Yes we have some elder members that disagree but we are an open church.

I am happy to make this list. It proves to me that we are on the right track.

And we throw a damn fine potluck too. In fact, the first place to get renovation is our kitchen, and our unisex bathrooms are right behind. You need to hang out with a different group of Methodist. Seriously, that has been the experience I have in the UMC's I have attended.

[JVS]

60. So they don't believe in separation of church and state in this way either.

Teabaggers are nuts.

[BrightKnight]

101. Methodists believe in separation of church and state:

"THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY
We hold governments responsible for the protection of people's basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor state should attempt to dominate the other. We call for freedom of information and quality education. We defend the right of individuals to practice conscientious, non-violent civil disobedience. We support government measures to reduce crimes consistent with the basic freedoms of persons; and we urge the creation of new systems of rehabilitation."

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2294683/k.B1A4/Church_and_Society.htm

[JVS]

104. I know methodists do. I was commenting on the conservatives' frequent claim that...

that the establishment clause is designed to keep the state out of the church's business and not the other way around. The teabaggers evidently see it differently.

[Critters2]

70. The fact that this moran says the United Methodist Church is liberal doesn't make it so.

The United Methodist Church is traditional to conservative on most social issues.

In what other areas of life are you likely to follow this nutjob?

[Rex]

74. Oh yeah! You know how those socialists are so pro-illegal immigration!

Always can spot them a mile away over that issue. :sarcasm:

Does this idiot understand what socialism is?

My bet is no.

[ellie]

77. What the hell?

[AndrewP]

79. I'm an atheist, but I think I'll donate to the Methodist church in this pricks name n/t

[Critters2]

81. If he said the Repugs were too liberal, would you donate to them, too? nt

[AndrewP]

82. Oh, don't take it literally.

[prolesunited]

83. I just don't get people filled with so much hate

I can't even bring myself to hate them. I just feel sorry for them.

[AC_Mem]

89. He looks constipated

but then again, so do most tea pottiers. Must be all the toxic energy they carry around.

[RagAss]

97. Good...let these Fucking Cretins eat each other alive !

[Atticus]

98. I grew up in a very liberal Methodist church but, after moving away and joining a different

Methodist congregation, found myself eventually surrounded by nasty hypocritical Tea Baggers who wanted to explain---in church before the service began--- why Clinton should be impeached, why George W. Bush (also, supposedly, a Methodist) was a Great American and how abortion and homosexuality were both choices that would guarantee roasting in Hell.

We left rather than start a nasty argument in church.

After we (and our tithe) were missed, an associate pastor was tapped to inquire as to why we had stopped attending. We replied that we were liberal Democrats and felt that we were not really welcome at that particular church. The only response was "Oh", which we interpreted as confirming that we were, indeed, not welcome. That was about eight years ago.

We will never return.

[BrightKnight]

99. He will have to defeat the Salvation Army with their "RED Kettles."

The Methodists actually bothered to read the book and they generally do not practice empty hate based religion. Social responsibility is apparently a concept that the tea baggers can't understand.

[Iggo]

103. Good luck, fuckwad.

You go right ahead and try to get rid of a church in the US.

How's about I don't hold my breath.

[Monk06]

105. Finally someone who makes Rick Santorum sound like a genius

[deacon]

112. Those "small government" types seem to want the biggest government. n/t

[VeryConfused]

113. They should rename their movement to the hate party

[Marr]

114. If the Tea Party was really in charge, you'd see one purge like this after another.

Eventually you'd be left with white Southern Babtists, and nothing else. Everyone else would have been condemned as a 'socialist fascist Marxist terrorist sympathizer'.

[Nikia]

117. The good news is this should alienate a few more members

If he keeps on speaking out against more groups of people and organizations, that will leave a much small group.

[femrap]

118. what a pathetic dick. nt

[geardaddy]

120. Keith Ellison is the first Muslim elected to Congress

not the only one in Congress. Andre Carson (D-IN-7) was elected in 2008. Get your facts right Philips. Idiot.

And Keith ain't going nowhere.