Constitutional Amendment One
Constitutional Amendment
An error in the text of a proposed Constitutional Amendment, dealing with women’s equality, has led to a call to redo the vote, originally taken in the BWC in 2017.
At the 2016 General Conference, the Independent Commissions Committee deleted the sentence in Amendment 1, which said, “The United Methodist Church recognizes it is contrary to Scripture and to logic to say that God is male or female, as maleness or femaleness are characteristics of human bodies and cultures, not characteristics of the divine.”
However, this passage was included in the text on the ballot. Amendment 1 failed to win at least 66.7 percent of the total votes required at annual conferences around the world.
The Council of Bishops announced the results of the voting on May 7. The first amendment, the one with the error, failed by 67 votes with a 66.5 percent tally — 31,304 yes and 15,753 no. The second amendment, which also addressed discrimination against women and others, received 61.3 percent, shy by 2,525 votes to ratify with 29,049 yes votes and 18,317 no.
Since some annual and central conferences have already held their sessions this year, their voting will take place next year.
Amendment 1 is expected to be voted on Thursday
If voted and so declared by the Council of Bishops, this would become the new ¶6, and the current ¶¶ 6-61 would be renumbered as ¶¶ 7-62.
Incorrectly worded Amendment
As the Holy Scripture reveals, both men and women are made in the image of God and, therefore, men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. The United Methodist Church recognizes it is contrary to Scripture and to logic to say that God is male or female, as maleness and femaleness are characteristics of human bodies and cultures, not characteristics of the divine. The United Methodist Church acknowledges the long history of discrimination against women and girls. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of women’s and girl's equality and well-being.
Correctly worded Amendment
As the Holy Scripture reveals, both men and women are made in the image of God and, therefore, men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. The United Methodist Church recognizes it is contrary to Scripture and to logic to say that God is male or female, as maleness and femaleness are characteristics of human bodies and cultures, not characteristics of the divine. The United Methodist Church acknowledges the long history of discrimination against women and girls. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of women’s and girl's equality and well-being.