YouTube video

As the debate over same-sex marriage swirls in social, political and legal circles around the country, members of the United Methodist Church are caught in the middle. “A Church Divided,” a documentary produced by the Center for Investigative Reporting and KQED, explores the issue through the lens of a global faith struggling with the many differing opinions of its congregants regarding homosexuality. Is homosexuality in line with Christian teachings? Should Methodist churches allow clergy to perform same-sex weddings?

The New York Times addressed the latter question in-depth in this profile of the Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Ogletree, a minister in the United Methodist Church who is under fire for performing a marriage ceremony between his gay son and his son’s male partner – a “chargeable offense,” according to the church rules. Such offenses can lead to church trials, which may result in suspension or defrocking.

Read The New York Times piece, watch “A Church Divided” and weigh in with your thoughts about same-sex marriage in the comments below or on Facebook.

For more investigative videos, see what our editors are curating by subscribing to The I Files today.

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Marie McIntosh is a news engagement specialist at The Center for Investigative Reporting, focusing on Junior Watchdogs, CIR's hub for information for kids. Marie works closely with the editorial team to find stories that affect kids, parents and teachers. Those stories cover nutrition, safety, education and more. Marie manages the production of video games and activity books and develops resources that engage kids and their families. She also supports CIR's events. Previously, she was the editorial assistant and social media manager for The Bay Citizen, which merged with CIR in 2012. Before that, Marie worked in textbook publishing in Boston.