Anabaptists were viciously persecuted during and following the Reformation. Many migrated to Poland and the Ukraine. Today they are mainly concentrated in Germany, France and North America. Mennonites are theologically conservative. They have always laid great stress on fundamental human rights.
Mennonite congregations are theoretically autonomous.
However, some regional conferences have constitutions that permit them to expel local churches. Some have been expelled in recent years, over the homosexual issue. The MC joined the committee in 1981. Their final report did not condemn homosexual behavior as sinful. It was intended as a document to help local Mennonite congregations discuss human sexuality.