"Not a single major United Methodist leader spoke up to protect traditional marriage." -- Mark Tooley, UMAction of IRD

Contacts: Loralei Coyle, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, lcoyle@ird-renew.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Yesterday, voters in 7 states voted to protect the most basic institution in our society defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. They join 20 other states around this nation.

Director, UMAction of IRD Mark Tooley released the following statement:

“The United Methodist Church is America’s third largest religious body in the United States, and not a single major United Methodist leader spoke up to protect traditional marriage, even though the church officially supports “laws in civil society that define marriage as one man and one woman.

“Leaders of all the mainline denominations were equally as silent. Some even denounced the pro-marriage amendments. How sad! And what a betrayal of the Christian tradition.

“Our country is in a vast cultural struggle, and leadership from our church communities is needed more than ever. The lack of strength shown on such a common sense issue does not go unnoticed. The United Methodist General Conference affirmed the standard of traditional marriage by large majorities in 2000 and even larger in 2004. It’s time for our leadership to find their voice and support the doctrine of our faith.”

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches’ social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.