Take action now: Contact United Methodist officials and urge them to overturn their ban on Discovery Institute.
On the United Methodist Church and its ban on intelligent design, we have so far presented primarily reporting that should disappoint thoughtful members of that church. But here’s some good news for a change — an influential United Methodist who “gets it”:

The UMC’s 2016 General Conference takes place this May in Portland, Oregon, where Discovery Institute, a think-tank that advocates for intelligent design, asked to have an exhibit table. That request, however, was rejected by officials who cite, among other things, a conflict with their “social principles.”
John Lomperis, a conference delegate and the United Methodist director at the Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD), notes a striking contrast.
“These very same leaders that are excluding the very mild-mannered Discovery Institute have on the other hand not been willing to take a firm stand against letting outside militant gay rights groups from forcibly taking over business meetings of the General Conference,” Lomperis points out.
He goes on to tell OneNewsNow that while the IRD will be allowed to have an exhibit table, his organization was actually rejected from being a paid sponsor of the General Conference. Staples, the office supply store, is being allowed to be a paid sponsor.
“Groups like Discovery Institute and my group get treated as ‘we’ve got to be careful of them because they’re bringing a particular agenda,'” Lomperis laments. “But the fact is so many of the denominations’ general agencies are run by activist liberals who are very actively and openly opposed to our denominations’ biblical doctrine and values and use that greater access they have to advocate against the church’s own values. So, that’s very unfortunate to see this unfair treatment,” he concludes.

Note, Lomperis is a conference delegate. Does the UMC hierarchy listen to its members or simply dismiss dissenters as “bastards”? The General Conference is not till May, so that remains to be seen. Find our full coverage of the ID ban here.
Image credit: © stephaniemurton / Dollar Photo Club.