Frequently Asked Questions | Beliefs and Social Issues

Beliefs

• Why do we say we believe in "the holy catholic church" in the Apostles' Creed? Is this a reference to the Catholic Church? | Answer
• Why do we say creeds? | Answer
• What is the creed of the United Methodist Church? | Answer

Salvation

• What does it mean to be saved, to accept Jesus as your personal savior? | Answer 
• Does The United Methodist Church believe in universal salvation? | Answer
• Is the concept “saved, born-again” unique to evangelicals or Baptists? Does it apply to Methodists? | Answer 
• Where does the "Rapture" fit into the United Methodist realm of beliefs? | Answer 
• What does The United Methodist Church teach about the second coming? | Answer   
• Do United Methodists believe that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary to go to heaven? | Answer 
• Did people go to heaven before Jesus? | Answer
• Does The United Methodist Church believe that babies are born in sin? | Answer 
• What happens immediately after a person dies?  Do they go directly to heaven or hell or do they go to a holding place until Christ returns to earth for the final judgment? | Answer 
• Do United Methodists believe that animals have souls and go to heaven? | Answer

Interreligious Issues

• Can United Methodists use the sign of the cross or is this a Catholic only practice? | Answer
• What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth? | Answer
• What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Virgin Mary? | Answer 
• Why doesn't my church have statues and a crucifix like the Catholic Church? | Answer
• Do United Methodists believe in the saints? | Answer  
• Does The United Methodist Church believe that Allah and God are the same? | Answer 
• What is the United Methodist view regarding Judaism and the Jewish people? | Answer

 Social Issues

• What is the United Methodist position on abortion? | Answer 
• What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality? | Answer   
• Does The United Methodist Church have a position on gun control? | Answer 
• What is the United Methodist view on the consumption of alcohol? | Answer 
• What is the United Methodist Church’s position on gambling? | Answer  
• Why does The United Methodist Church ordain women? | Answer 
• What is The United Methodist Church's position on cloning? |  Answer
• What is The United Methodist Church’s position on evolution? | Answer 
• I have been married before. Can I get remarried and still be a member? | Answer 
• Can a divorced person serve as clergy in The United Methodist Church? | Answer 
• Does a person who commits suicide go to hell? | Answer 
• The UMC accepts cremation and organ donation. How is this consistent with resurrection of the body? | Answer 
• Does The United Methodist Church believe that masturbation is OK? | Answer 
• Does The United Methodist Church believe that premarital sex is OK? | Answer 
• How do statements become official positions of the Church? | Answer
• Why do church social policies and U.S. government policies seem so far apart on some issues? | Answer 
• Why is the Church getting involved in politics? | Answer 
• When church leaders speak out on a social issue, are they speaking for the Church? | Answer
• As a member of The United Methodist Church, do I have to agree with these statements? | Answer