The Methodist Church, Ghana, has kicked against same-sex marriage in the
church, saying such relationships are neither supported by Biblical
teaching nor can the Bible’s position be revised to support it. The church believes that it is impossible for anyone to opt for such
lifestyle and be called a Christian per the teachings of the Bible.
“The Methodist Church, Ghana, rejects any revisionists’ interpretations
of the Bible that seek to make same-sex relationship permissible,” said
Presiding Bishop, Most Reverend Dr. Paul K. Boafo.
Addressing a press conference to set the records straight on the alleged
decision of the British Methodist Conference to go beyond recognition
and acknowledgement, to regularize same-sex, co-habitation and divorce
within the church, Most Rev. Dr. Boafo indicated that the Methodist
Church of Ghana disassociates itself from such a decision.
He said the choice to accept same-sex relationships would amount to the
reversal of long-standing Christian beliefs on marriage and sexuality
and the normalization of moral behaviour that the Christian Church has
historically rejected as contradictory to God’s Word.
“The Methodist Church, Ghana, has not amended her position on marriage
as a covenant between one man and one woman and neither do we permit
co-habitation by unmarried couples nor encourage divorce by Christians,”
he emphasized.
“This is what we believe and this is what we ask our ministers, lay
preachers, evangelists and other agents to preach and hold on to. If
marriage is given by God, then obviously the institution ought to live
within the context of God’s word.”
Most Rev. Dr. Boafo stressed that the Methodist Church, Ghana, belonged
to an evangelical faith that upholds the integrity of the Bible and the
pursuit of the life of holiness.
“Marriage, as far as the Methodist Church, Ghana, is concerned is a
covenant ordained by God to be, strictly speaking, observed between a
male and a female only. Historically, there has been no exception to
this rule in the Church and the Methodist Church, Ghana, disassociates
herself from any decision that contradicts the teaching of the Bible on
sexuality and marriage,” he stated.
The church urged government not to entertain such lifestyles.
“We hope that our government and politicians will take note of these
trends, thread consciously and not allow themselves to be pressured
under the guides of receiving more aid/funding to give in to these
modern lifestyles that overthrow our cultural values and Christian
principles as a nation,” he averred.
In recent times, there has been subtle pressure on politicians and
government to legalize same-sex marriage in Ghana but there is an
overwhelming opposition to the recognition of this lifestyle as a normal
behaviour.
At the forefront of the opposition are religious bodies who have in no
uncertain terms vehemently opposed the topic of same-sex marriage and
its possible legalization in the country, basing their arguments on the
fact that such lifestyles are alien to Ghanaian beliefs and culture.
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