Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Micah Bales on 6th mo. 15, 2012 at 9:31am

As you might imagine, there are a variety of individual opinions within OYM. By and large, however, I have observed that Friends in OYM hold a nuanced view of divorce and remarriage. We believe that God intends marriage to last a lifetime, and that Jesus teaches us not to divorce under most circumstances. We  strive to support our married couples so that divorce is less likely. That being said, I do not think that being divorced (or remarried) would bar someone from membership in our Meetings. 

As for the question of LGBTQ folks: Ohio Yearly Meeting is holding tension on this issue. We recently had a Yearly Meeting retreat to hold questions of human sexuality (including homosexuality) in prayer. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, and I felt that the retreat helped move us forward as a body. Nevertheless, it will probably be quite some time before OYM is able to speak with a single voice on the question of LGBTQ inclusion.

(I am a member of Rockingham Monthly Meeting, Ohio Yearly Meeting.)

Permalink Reply by Gwen Giffen on 6th mo. 15, 2012 at 9:32am

OYM has many members who have been divorced. The gay lifestyle is still not condoned in membership, but people practicing it are welcome to meeting-for-worship. I'm not certain that this applies to people who are gay, but choose to remain single for religious reasons. There is still deep disunity on the decisions, regardless of the unity of those in business meetings making them. A clearness committee would be appointed for a new member, from the monthly meeting it was requested of, to discuss the person's reasons for and desire to be a member.