Awesome.

Social justice Marxism at its best: slithering into places it doesn't belong.

First off, the government doesn't need to be included in a marriage.  If a church wants to marry a gay couple, let them.  If they don't, don't make them.  A piece of paper stamped by your local government official doesn't say you're married--that's between you, your spouse, and your belief (or lack thereof) in a Higher Power.  If you feel married, you are.  The lack of that government-stamped piece of paper cannot tell you otherwise.

That said, the Methodist church is supposed to be Christian.  As in: the base laws of the church come from the teachings in the Bible.  Nowhere in the Bible is a homosexual relationship condoned.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  And there is no relativism, are no exceptions, are no excuses.

Follow.  Your.  Laws.  Or else, declare the truth openly: the Methodist church is no longer Christian but Marxist.  Same with the Episcopal church (but they've headed toward Solipsism along with Marxism).

Yes, I am Christian.  No, I am not condemning the whole fluff about gay marriage--my problem is with identity, race, and sexual politics infiltrating a place where the minister can get his church in trouble if he shares his personal opinion (if it goes against the accepted status quo) outside of the pulpit.  The main thing I'm condemning here is the blatant violation of the church's rules, and the hypocrisy therein.

I wonder how many of the various leftist interest groups (gays, etc.) remember that Hitler used them to come to power, then turned on them once he was unassailable...