Given the lack of media concern over the teachings of Barack Obama's church, I don't expect much media interest in this either:
A conservative Christian group yesterday criticized a large Methodist church in the District for planning to offer services that recognize gay and lesbian relationships, saying they violate the United Methodist ban on same-sex unions.
Foundry United Methodist Church, which Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton attended when he was president, decided last month to support its senior pastor's decision to lead services that "recognize and honor" committed gay relationships. Foundry clergy, however, do not perform union ceremonies, the local bishop said.
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, a Christian group opposed to liberal trends in mainline Protestant denominations, demanded that the bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, John R. Schol, prevent the services.
Clinton has from time to time emphasized her Methodist upbringing and its influence on her life. For more on that, check out this December 20 Christian Science Monitor profile.
Clinton is hoping on a strong showing in the March 4 Democratic primaries in Ohio and Texas. Neither state's voters are all that keen on gay marriage. In fact, at the same time Buckeye State voters rejected John Kerry in 2004, voters overwhelmingly approved (62%) a state constitutional amendment to clarify marriage is between one man and one woman. Texas voters followed suit a year later (75% in favor).
