The splintering of the United Methodist Church

FromOn Point | Podcast

Start listening View podcast show

The splintering of the United Methodist Church

FromOn Point | Podcast

ratings:

Length:

47 minutes

Released:

May 23, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Once the second largest protestant denomination in America, the United Methodist Church lost about a quarter of its members over issues of sexuality. Now, the church is overturning its prohibition on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage.

Released:

May 23, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (63)

Go behind the headlines: From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point hosts Meghna Chakrabarti and David Folkenflik speak with newsmakers and real people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR for NPR.

Skip carousel

Should the U.S. ban menthol cigarettes?: More than 80% of Black smokers smoke menthol cigarettes. The FDA is now pushing to ban the products, saying it will prevent death and disease. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Underground addiction care in Mexico — and its spread to the U.S.: Across Mexico, thousands of illegal rehab centers treat patients with drug addiction, often holding them against their will. Now, these "anexos" -- informal, underground treatment facilities -- are here in the United States. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: How to steal an election: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells Meghna what he expects to see outside and inside polling stations in November 2024 by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
How to become a 'supercommunicator': As humans, we have conversations all the time. But research shows we actually aren’t very good at communicating. Journalist Charles Duhigg shows us not only how to become a communicator -- but a 'supercommunicator.' by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
China’s divided memory of the Cultural Revolution: "3 Body Problem," a Netflix adaptation of the Chinese sci-fi novel by the same name, is causing controversy in China for its depiction of the Cultural Revolution. How do the Chinese people see this crucial period of their history? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Democrats consider changing course on Israel support: President Biden told Israel the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable and an immediate ceasefire is essential. Meanwhile, U.S. weaponry continues to flow to Israel. Could Biden back up his tough talk and curtail military aid? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: How it looks to a Republican: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty reviews the evidence that former President Donald Trump’s multiple criminal prosecutions are politically motivated. by On Point | Podcast
33 min listen
The high cost of the youth sports arms race: Youth sports are supposed to be about fun and team spirit. But now, kids are training year-round and joining expensive travel leagues earlier. It’s costing families, and kids too. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer 'reads the constitution': Textualism, which sees a legal system's original structure as immortal, is the dominating philosophy on the court today. But retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues pragmatism, which considers consequences of legal decisions, is the better mindset. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
A roadmap to better health for women: Physician Dr. Sharon Malone is on a mission to help women better manage their health in the American health care system. Her No. 1 tip from her book 'Grown Woman Talk' -- Be your best advocate. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How the 2024 U.S. presidential election could be stolen: There are several perfectly legal ways to steal a U.S. presidential election, according to election law expert Lawrence Lessig. Lessig says the U.S.’s election and legal systems are vulnerable – and need immediate correction. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The company they keep: On Point new analyst Jack Beatty argues that Democrats are losing touch with working class voters. What could they do to change that? by On Point | Podcast
28 min listen
Your data, the U.S. government and the 'new American surveillance state': Your exact location, what apps you use, the last thing you bought online. Your data is for sale – and the U.S. government is buying it. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The ethical dilemma of involuntary mental health treatment: Several states have changed policy in recent years to make involuntary commitment easier for people with severe mental illnesses. But forced treatment still raises civil rights questions, with some saying it can harm patients. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The story behind 2022's secret Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations: The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted over two years. But just weeks after Russia's 2022 invasion, both sides came close to a settlement that could have ended the war and saved thousands of lives. What happened? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How to move from languishing to flourishing: Languishing. That feeling of a lack of motivation or direction. Most people feel a sense of languishing at some point in their lives. So how do we move from languishing to flourishing? Sociologist Corey Keyes has spent his career trying to find the answer. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Battleground: How the outcome of the Ohio Senate race affects us all: The 2024 Ohio senate contest could determine the balance of power in of the U.S. senate. What’s at stake in Ohio? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Rebroadcast: The little-known virus behind a majority of nongenetic birth defects: One virus causes more birth defects in American babies than any other nongenetic disease – but most don’t know it exists. We hear a mother’s journey to understand her daughter’s diagnosis of congenital CMV. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Palestinian civilians on their daily fight for survival: Some Palestinians have been able to flee Gaza. But millions are still there as the Israeli military moves on Rafah, and there’s still no agreement to pause the war. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The haunting relevance of D-Day: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty recalls a 1984 speech by President Reagan outlining the importance of allies and collective security. by On Point | Podcast
32 min listen
Glenn Loury's 'confessions of a Black conservative': Glenn Loury is a renowned Black economist and conservative social critic. In his new memoir, he details his struggles, from adultery to addiction, all while a professor at Harvard. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
India’s high-stakes election: Elections in the world’s largest democracy are underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s power is ascendant. But, like in other global democracies, so are concerns about religious nationalism and democratic decline. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Author Amy Tan's 'backyard bird chronicles': Celebrated author Amy Tan doesn’t just write best-selling novels. She’s a passionate birder, too. Her new book on birding describes the wonder she sees looking out her window. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Roundtable: What do ordinary Israelis want from their leaders?: More than six months since the Hamas attack on Israel, dozens of Israelis are still held hostage, over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and there’s no peace in sight. Israelis on the future of Israel. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
'A most tolerant little town': The forgotten story of desegregation in Clinton, Tennessee: Rebroadcast: In 1956, a federal judge ordered the town of Clinton, Tennessee to desegregate its high school. The unrest that followed tore the town apart. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How Dallas tackled violent crime: The city of Dallas reduced its overall violent crime by 30% compared to this time last year. Its mayor and police chief credit the so-called “hot spot policing.” by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Is the U.S. a democracy?: For decades some conservative scholars and politicians have asserted the United States is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. So which one is it? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The unregulated boom in the 'buy now, pay later' market: 'Buy now, pay later' loans for just about everything are growing. But there’s barely any data or regulation on this emerging market. Are consumers being helped or hurt by this new lending option? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The red hat: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the power of the MAGA red hat to forge an identity and spread a political message around the world. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
'The evidence was disappointingly poor': The full interview with Dr. Hilary Cass: In March, Britain’s National Health Service announced it will no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers to gender questioning young people under the age of 18. In her first U.S. broadcast interview, pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass explains the NHS's new approach to gender-affirming care. by On Point | Podcast
58 min listen

More Episodes from On Point | Podcast

Skip carousel

George Stephanopoulos takes us inside the White House Situation Room: George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC’s “This Week,” and co-host of “Good Morning America," speaks with Meghna Chakrabarti live at WBUR's CitySpace about his new book “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents In Crisis." Plus, what he's learned from interviewing Donald Trump. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
Rebroadcast: Why the past 75 years of human history have been 'an anomaly': With two wars raging and dynastic power on the rise around the world, the post-1945 world order feels like it’s being tested like never before. One British historian says it's more like a return to normality. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: A prince of our disorder: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty has been reading "The Age of Grievance" by New York Times columnist Frank Bruni. He outlines the ubiquity of grievance in the U.S., and how Donald Trump has captured this to his advantage. by On Point | Podcast
37 min listen
How Black Chicago has shaped American pop culture: From "Soul Train" and the "Oprah Winfrey Show" to the blues and Afro Sheen, for decades, Black Chicagoans have shaped culture in the U.S. and across the world. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What science tells us about why we dream: Humans have long been fascinated by of dreams, but what has science learned about them? Neuroscientist Dr. Rahul Jandial says dreams benefit us -- from helping regulate emotions, to processing trauma. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Why the U.S. needs a reckoning on lockdowns before the next pandemic: The COVID pandemic lockdowns. It was an approach endorsed by many public health experts. But could there have been a better way? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What happened to Etsy?: Etsy used to be the place to shop for quirky, handmade items from independent crafters all over the world. Now, it’s flooded with mass-produced products. What happened to Etsy? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The Jackpod: NBC poll -- Biden leads Trump 70 to 21: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into a correlation between news awareness and political leanings, and how that has inspired a controversial theory about democratic citizenship. by On Point | Podcast
41 min listen
The rise of laser warfare: In April, the U.S. military deployed a pair of high energy lasers to combat enemy drones. Now that the once-imagined weaponry of science fiction is reality, how will it impact the future of warfare? by On Point | Podcast
46 min listen
Inside China's citizen spy network: In China, Big Brother is most definitely watching. Estimates show up to 16 million Chinese citizens -- from university students to taxi drivers -- are political informants for the government. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
'We are underreacting to how serious this moment is': Many Republicans in Congress are dodging the question of whether they’ll accept this year’s election results. What’s at stake in 2024 if only one party will accept defeat? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How women became America's safety net: Other countries have social safety nets. The U.S. has women. In the new book "Holding it Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net," sociologist Jessica Calarco says it’s time that changed. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The power of solitude: Being alone often gets a bad rap. But research shows alone time can actually boost overall well-being, increasing our emotional regulation, contentment and creativity. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How Democrats can win back the working-class: Democrats are losing working-class voters at an alarming rate, despite the popularity of President Biden’s policies. A roundtable of working-class voters share what Democrats can do to win them back. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: Stop it now, Joe: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty lays out the ways that President Biden’s Gaza policy has been, what New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof calls, “a moral, practical and political failure.” by On Point | Podcast
39 min listen
Big changes and big problems at the U.S. Postal Service: Missing packages. Undelivered letters. If you've been having problems with your mail lately, you're not alone. The USPS is rolling out big changes across the country, from Richmond, Virginia to Santa Clara, California. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
A post-mortem on Oregon’s drug decriminalization efforts: Oregon made history in 2020 when it became the first state in the nation to decriminalize small amounts of hard drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth. But last month – the state repealed it. What happened? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Why the ancient philosophy of stoicism is having a modern revival: The Greco-Roman philosophy of stoicism is having a moment. Through wisdom, temperance, courage and justice you can create a virtuous, well-lived life. But have modern day stoics got it right? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Rebroadcast: U.S. military barracks are in shambles. Will the government take action?: A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveals poor living conditions inside military barracks – from mold and exposed sewage, to broken windows, nonexistent HVAC systems and more. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: Question time: With the first presidential debate less than six weeks away, On Point news analyst Jack Beatty explores some approaches to interviewing a candidate like Donald Trump. by On Point | Podcast
37 min listen
Puerto Rico's big political shakeup: Puerto Rico is in the middle of a major gubernatorial race. As a new political party appeals to younger voters -- who've only experienced years of corruption, poverty and financial crisis -- who wins could have a big effect on the territory. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Glenn Loury's 'confessions of a Black conservative': Glenn Loury is a renowned Black economist and conservative social critic. In his new memoir, he details his struggles, from adultery to addiction, all while a professor at Harvard. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
How AI is polluting our culture: Our online feeds are already full of artificially-generated sludge. It’s tainting our discourse, our culture and the quality of information. One neuroscientist argues all of this AI junk threatens our very humanity. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
How artificial intelligence can help American workers: Labor economist David Autor’s research shows how historically, technological advances hurt the incomes of middle- and working-class Americans. But when it comes to AI, Autor says the exact opposite could happen. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Breaking down the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar: Two of rap’s biggest stars are feuding. Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been lobbing diss tracks back and forth for weeks. What does this say about modern hip-hop culture? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The invisible new deal: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into why President Biden’s initiatives to boost the economy, with legislation such as the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, are not recognized by many voters. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
Abortion, border control, a test of Trumpism: Inside the Arizona Senate race: A lot is at stake in Arizona’s senate race. It could determine control of the Senate -- and the outcome of the presidential election. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Does the U.S. need new nuclear weapons?: The U.S. is building new nuclear weapons, including a massive missile called the Sentinel. They're up to 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What neuroscience tells us about spiritual experiences: What happens in the brain when you pray or meditate? Neurotheology explores the connection between our synapses and spiritual revelations. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Can Caitlin Clark mark a turning point for the WNBA?: The NCAA’s all-time scoring leader Caitlin Clark begins her WNBA career on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark helped elevate the game of basketball to new heights at the college level. What impact will she have in the pros? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

The Pastors Being Driven Out by Trumpism: Evangelicals make up about a quarter of the population in the United States and are part of the nation’s largest religious group. But lately the movement is in crisis. The biggest issue is church attendance. Many churches closed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and struggled to reopen while congregations thinned. But a smaller audience isn’t the only problem: Pastors are quitting, or at least considering doing so. Guest: Ruth Graham is a national correspondent covering religion, faith and values for The New York Times. by The Daily
42 min listen
347 - The LDS Church is Fundamentally Broken: There were two major developments within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this month that have exposed the conservative rot within. The first was an announcement made on the LDS Church's website titled, "First Presidency urges Latter-day ... by Godless Rebelution
69 min listen
Ideas & ideologies: Barbara Alvarez; James Lull by Freethought Radio
49 min listen
120. United Methodist Church Split (feat. Paul Miller) by The Lancaster Patriot Podcast
87 min listen
Queer Church: Part 2: The Judaeo-Christian scriptures rarely mention same-sex sexuality. Of the 35,527 verses in the Catholic Bible, only seven, which is about 0.02% are sometimes interpreted as prohibiting homosexual acts. So if it’s such a small part of the official... by PRIDE
43 min listen
As Churches Go, So Go American Liberties by Bold and Blunt
31 min listen
Episode 362: The Sexual Prosperity Gospel with Katelyn Beaty: With the implosion of evangelical purity culture, and news that its poster child is getting divorced, many are reevaluating the legacy of the movement that dominated youth ministries in the 80s and 90s. Katelyn Beaty is back to talk about her recent... by The Holy Post
73 min listen
Alex McNeill, Executive Director for More Light Presbyterians: Nearly three years ago, Alex McNeill was on Religion For Life to discuss two journ... by Freedom Loves Company
29 min listen
Woke Jesus, Discovering the Biblical Christ with Lucas Miles by Off The Bench with Heidi St. John
20 min listen
5 Reasons Why I'm Protestant by The Universe Next Door
44 min listen
#844 - Race, CRT, the gospel, social justice, evangelicalism, systemic racism: Thabiti Anyabwile: Thabiti Anyabwile by Theology in the Raw
20 min listen
The Work of Unity: Jason Channels + Bruce Willmann: Season 2, Episode 4 by Rethink Community: The Podcast
31 min listen
Christopher J. Blythe, "Terrible Revolution: Latter-day Saints and the American Apocalypse" (Oxford UP, 2020): Blythe examines apocalypticism across the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly as it took shape in the writings and visions of the laity... by New Books in Religion
40 min listen
S5:E4 “Holy Moly! Matt’s Unite!” A Divine Duo discuss Faith, Humanity and Inclusion with Rev. Matt Hackworth, Senior Leader at L'Arche USA: Matt talks this week to The Rev. Matt Hackworth, a member of senior leadership for L'Arche USA, an organization committed to helping people with and without intellectual disabilities to live in com... by Nonprofit on the Rocks
74 min listen
#386 Brian McLaren Drops in to Drop Truth (or Heretical) Bombs: Author, Speaker, Activist, and former Pastor, Brian McLaren talks about the changing theological culture of American Christianity. Religious leaders have less control now that their followers have unlimited access to other thought-leaders online,... by Songs & Stories Podcast
87 min listen
Session 2: What on Earth is the Orthodox Church?: Living in America, particularly in middle America… by St Peters Orthodox Church
45 min listen
Extra: Church Attendance Hits Historic Lows. Are Americans Losing Their Religion? by The Fox News Rundown
21 min listen
Prison Justice and Transit Justice:   The United States with five percent of the world’s population  incarcerates ... by Freedom Loves Company
53 min listen
S2E5 LGBTQ Christians, Side A (Affirming): LGBTQ Christians. This is a huge topic within the Christian faith. Traditionally, churches have done a very poor job at understanding how to navigate this topic. Last week we discussed "side b" Christians, who do not deny their LGBTQ identity, but... by The Failed Christian
65 min listen
Queer and Here!: Christianity and Judaism have had long standing theological concerns with LGBTQ+ issues. BUT from the Vatican to certain Jewish denominations, there are movements afoot to be more open, tolerant, and accepting. by How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality
37 min listen
What Evangelicals Need to Know about the Catholic Sex Abuse Scandal: The Catholic world is reeling after a devastating… by Quick to Listen
56 min listen
Sex Education and Religion in Public Schools: What role has religion played in shaping sex education in America’s public schools? Dr. Kristy Slominski, author of Teaching Moral Sex: A History of Religion and Sex Education in the United States, joins us to discuss why liberal Protestant leaders w ... by The Revealer
20 min listen
Episode 11 - Why A Church? with Jeremy Rivera: Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has been criticized, ridiculed, persecuted, and at times looked as if it would self-destruct. Yet, despite the ups and downs, the Catholic Church remains not only the first Christian Church established by Jesus... by Blood Sweat and Joy
17 min listen
Leah Mickens, "In the Shadow of Ebenezer: A Black Catholic Parish in the Age of Civil Rights and Vatican II" (NYU Press, 2022): An interview with Leah Mickens by New Books in Religion
60 min listen
What American Christians Can Learn about Religious Freedom from Russia: Last year, the government passed a number of laws… by Quick to Listen
43 min listen
Are Southern Baptists Experiencing a #MeToo Moment?: It’s been quite a week for Southern Baptists. Sin… by Quick to Listen
60 min listen
BHoP#133 The Myth of America Part 1 - In the Arena: Dr Koontz and Rev Fisk begin to examine the theological history of America. They talk about an article covering the recently elected board of Ottawa County, Michigan, why it's important not to look down on the political efforts of Evangelical Christi... by A Brief History of Power
62 min listen
In 'Losing Our Religion,' Russell Moore tackles a crisis in evangelical Christianity by NPR's Book of the Day
10 min listen
Who Are Our Neighbors? - Rev. Tamara Lebak: Sermon delivered on Sunday, August 19, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Historical data from the last 30–50 years, according to sociologist Keith Hampton, shows... by All Souls Unitarian Church
29 min listen
Dr. Jacqui Lewis by Songs & Stories Podcast
66 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

The splintering of the United Methodist Church

The splintering of the United Methodist Church

Description

Titles in the series (63)

More Episodes from On Point | Podcast

Related podcast episodes