Reply #27: You obviously do not know much about UCC and their equal rights stuff. Educate yourself.

[uppityperson]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8463741/ns/us_news/t/united-church-christ-endorses-gay-marriage/
The United Church of Christ’s rule-making body voted overwhelmingly Monday to approve a resolution that endorses same-sex marriage, making it the largest Christian denomination to do so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ#Activities

Social activism
The UCC national body has been active in numerous traditionally-liberal social causes, including support for abortion rights,<25> the United Farm Workers, and the Wilmington Ten.<9>

<[br />Same-sex marriage
Churches in the UCC can sanctify same-sex unions.<26> The resolution "In support of equal marriage rights for all", supported by an estimated 80% of the UCC's 2005 general synod delegates, made the United Church of Christ the first major Christian deliberative body in the U.S. to make a statement of support for "equal marriage rights for all people, regardless of gender," and is hitherto the largest Christian denominational entity in the U.S. supporting same-sex marriage.<27> This resolution (and the sanctification of same-sex marriages), however, is not supported by some congregations.<27> Of particular note, the Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico, a long-standing congregation in the UCC, voted by a 3–1 margin to withdraw its affiliation with the UCC over the same-sex marriage issue.<28>

Apology Resolution
United Church of Christ was recognized in the Apology Resolution to Native Hawaiians. In the Resolution, Congress recognized the reconciliation made by the UCC in the Eighteenth General Synod for their actions in overthrowing the Kingdom of Hawaii.

(clip)Social criticism
Conservatives have complained that UCC members are "probably the most left-leaning of all major U.S. denominations."<38> These critics have complained that the UCC attempts to control "how liberal Christians should think in politically correct terms about climate controversies, socialized medicine, the U.S. presence in Iraq, immigration and the Welfare State."<38>

Criticism over same-sex marriage
The UCC has been severely criticized for its stand on same-sex marriage. In fact, citing differences over "the membership and ministry of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians", the UCC's Puerto Rico Conference left the church in 2006.<39>

Criticism of sex education
Critics have complained that the UCC's focus on sex education, including the distribution of condoms, does not provide appropriate moral context for sex and has failed in "reinforcing the traditional Christian ethic reserving sex for marriage."<40>...(much more)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=214&topic_id=322406&mesg_id=322445
Marriage Equality and the UCC

Marriage is one of the most significant institutions in our culture. The sacred and civil, church and state dimensions of marriage are complex and often muddled, which makes marriage one of the most challenging issues to discuss in the church and beyond.

On July 4, 2005, at the 25th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Atlanta, delegates voted to adopt the resolution, "Equal Marriage Rights for All" The resources below are provided to help facilitate conversations and study throughout the church and society on this complex and challenging matter which has important implications for individuals, families and the wider community. They are intended to get people of faith talking about the purposes of marriage, looking more closely at how marriage has evolved and changed through time biblically and socially, exploring the theology of marriage, and critically discerning the appropriate roles for the church and the state in marriage.

The colleagues who worked together to prepare these resources join the Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ who, in calling us to this important dialog say, "let us explore our faith in relation to these issues: the meaning of Christian marriage, the blessing of unions among same-sex couples, the honoring of diverse expressions of loving and caring human relationships, being guided in all things by the love of Jesus. Above all, may these conversations be ventured in humility and prayer."

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ETC.