With all the talk of division in the UMC, I really don’t think this is what most people want. I think it is the will of the most vocal among us. Nevertheless, I would like to know what readers of this blog think. Therefore I’ve decided to conduct an entirely unscientific poll asking readers to opine on this matter. I’d appreciate your sharing this post with others because more participants will hopefully mean a better cross section of perspectives. Yes, I know the answers you give may be contingent on a number of factors, but just give it your best shot.
71 thoughts on “Reader’s Poll: Do We Really Want Division?”
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David F. Watson 
I voted “I don’t know.” Part of me thinks a schism is inevitable (as Jim Johnson mentioned above), but the thought of what it would really be like fills me with dread. (Is it a holy dread? I don’t know.) That may change depending how the process of covenant accountability plays out in the next few years.
I voted no – even though I might fall into the more progressive pool. I think our differences are what make us unique as a denomination. I like that within the church where I serve all points on the spectrum of belief are represented. A schism would do nothing for the health of either group that might emerge from the split. If we can’t learn to compromise then we only push ourselves farther apart – and God doesn’t call for division.
WHY HALT YE AMONG TWO OPINIONS. IF GOD BE GOD, SERVE HIM. IF HE BE BAAL, SERVE HIM. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. A SIMPLE YES OR NO WILL DO. THIS CREATES THE TWO AND ONLY TWO SIDES OF THE SCHISM.
I voted no. But I must note, we have two church sessions on Sunday morning. One traditional. One contemporary. That’s about all the division I see, as a low level pew sitter. And in neither session, is there political discussions about gay issues. So all the talk about division over gay issues have to be at the Grand-Poo-Ba level. Or among individuals on blogs with nothing better to do. I see no divisive issues being brought up in ordinary church services. At least not in the church I go to.
I am no poll expert. I know they can be tricky and unless carefully worded provide misleading responses. Gauging the depth of people’s feelings is important and it takes a series of Q&A to get that. I was not comfortable with any of your choices. I voted no. When you ask if I want the UMC to divide I would say no but then so might someone whose views on LGBT inclusion are completely opposite from mine. An expertly conducted poll might be useful but there is no way The UMC will ever do that.
How about this;
Do you believe our current disagreement over LGBT inclusion is resolvable?
o Yes
o No
You might get 90 percent to respond “yes” but the nature of the resolution will be different in everyone’s mind. Yes, if we agree to enforce the BOD policy. Yes, if we change the BOD to fully embrace LGBT participation. Yes, if we simply live with the disagreement and move on. Unless we can answer this question talk of a split is premature in my opinion. How about these questions?
1. Do you believe our current policy will be reaffirmed at the next GC?
o Yes
o No
2. Do you believe our current policy will be uniformly enforced throughout The UMC?
o Yes
o No
3. Do you believe our policy will be formally changed to include full LGBT inclusion?
o Yes
o No
4. Do you believe the current disagreement over LGBT inclusion is causing great harm to The UMC?
o Yes
o No
5. Do you believe that a split over LGBT inclusion will cause great harm to The UMC?
o Yes
o No
6. Do you believe that a split within The UMC would be more harmful than continuing the current struggle over LGBT inclusion?
o Yes
o No
7. If The UMC policy was upheld at next GC
o I would remain and accept the policy
o I would remain and continue to fight for change
o I would depart for another church
8. If The UMC policy was changed to full inclusion of LGBT persons
o I would remain and accept the policy
o I would remain and continue to fight for change
o I would depart for another church
9. Do you believe The UMC can resolve the LGBT inclusion question without suffering a loss in members?
o Yes
o No
10. Is the LGBT issue important enough to you personally to consider leaving The UMC if you disagree with the resolution?
o Yes
o No
11. Do you think a split in The UMC is inevitable?
o Yes
o No
Then of course we would have to get into the nature of the split. Individuals or entire churches. If we are talking whole churches we might enter the Episcopal Church nightmare.
Kevin is right, in my opinion: The poll as presented isn’t very helpful. The devil (and in this case, I mean that quite literally) will be in the details. I hate the idea of schism. But as we near the 2016 General Conference, we’re surely in for an exponential increase in bloodletting. I love serving Methodist congregations, but am weary of being embarrassed by the General Church.