Several Methodists oppose same-sex marriage ban

Several United Methodist pastors are opposed with the guidelines that they are not allowed to handle same sex marriages, although there are possibilities that they will be discharged from their service.

According to the American Press report, in some places in U.S., Methodist pastors have married same-sex couples and performed blessing ceremonies for same-sex mergers for long time.

Rev. Amy DeLong of Osceola from western Wisconsin faced a three-day trial on Tuesday in Kaukauna.

She faces two charges where she disobeyed church prohibition on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" as well as she married a lesbian couple.

"I would be lying if I said this process hasn't been difficult, but I also feel called to break the silence and tell my own truth regardless of the consequences," said DeLong.

She added "When I entered (the ministry) I did not suspend my conscience. It's incumbent on me not to perpetuate its unjust laws."

In 2009, she married a lesbian couple where two churches filed cases against her moves. Despite that issue she said that her supervisors still gives her care.

About 13 clergy will be chosen from a group of Wisconsin United Methodist clergies to join the trial of DeLong.

Rev. Richard Harding, an 85 years old retired pastor in Massachusetts said that he also is not in favor with the same-sex-wedding ban because it was implemented without asking the people's objections.

"I'm getting on in years and I may not see the change but there's definitely an uprising taking place," he said.

Conservative Methodists are very strict with their beliefs that same-sex relationships are not allowable and that it was written in the bible.

Methodist's Book of Discipline is still against same-gender marriage.

In May 2011 the Methodist Judicial Council forbade same-gender marriage and have not allowed clergies to be in a same-sex relationship. — ARA