United Methodist Church strengthens ban on same-sex marriage, LGBT clergy
he United Methodist Church voted on Tuesday to uphold and strengthen its ban on same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy in a move likely to alienate large numbers of followers who had pushed for reform.
By a vote of 438-384, delegates from around the world attending the church's General Conference in St. Louis reinforced a United Methodist Church policy established in 1972 stating that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."
Known as the Traditional Plan, the new policy includes penalties for breaking its rules and asks those who will not obey it to find another church....