Since the California Supreme Court’s ruling on May 15 that legalized same-gender marriage in the state of California, the media and political machines have gone into high gear, as we all prepare for the anticipated stream of gay and lesbian couples lining up at county courthouses to become legally wed beginning on June 17. Other states are looking westward in anticipation of how wedding tourism to California might translate into litigation elsewhere. The Limit on Marriage initiative that will be on the November ballot is sure to get financial and volunteer support from around the country – just as surely as will the efforts to defeat it.
Coverage on this issue, as I have read it, often mentions religious groups and religious leaders who do not support same-sex marriage and who will be working to ban it by supporting the Limit on Marriage initiative. What I have not seen in the media is information about the strong support in favor of equal marriage rights that exists amongst religious groups and leaders.
If one were to read through the 172-page court opinion, one would find that 148 religious organizations within the state of California, including congregations, seminaries, ecumenical and interfaith organization and clergy alliances from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist and Native American traditions and more than 300 individual clergy and religious leaders are on file as “Friends of the Court” in support of equal marriage rights. To leave this religious voice out of the public dialogue misrepresents reality.
As an ordained clergyperson in the United Church of Christ, I stand in favor of full marriage equality. I am proud of my denomination, which has always taken a boldly prophetic stance on issues of social justice. The UCC was the first mainline Protestant denomination to ordain a woman, an African-American and an openly gay man. In 1985, we declared ourselves to be Open and Affirming of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, welcoming folks of diverse sexual orientations into all areas of church life and leadership. In 2005, our General Synod adopted a resolution affirming equal marriage rights for all.
First Congregational Church in Long Beach, the congregation which I serve, has been performing marriages for both opposite- and same-sex couples for years. We are thrilled that we can now sign a marriage license for every couple whose wedding is performed in our sanctuary. We know that many gay and lesbian folks who want to be married will not able to have their ceremonies in their own churches; they will be welcomed by us.
Being congregational in nature, not all members, clergy or churches within the United Church of Christ feel the same way that I do about marriage equality. But as a covenant church, we agree to talk about it, even argue about, and remain connected. I hope that we as Californians can do the same thing. We may differ in our opinions, but my theological beliefs need not curtail your civil rights. Nor visa versa.
Coverage on this issue, as I have read it, often mentions religious groups and religious leaders who do not support same-sex marriage and who will be working to ban it by supporting the Limit on Marriage initiative. What I have not seen in the media is information about the strong support in favor of equal marriage rights that exists amongst religious groups and leaders.
If one were to read through the 172-page court opinion, one would find that 148 religious organizations within the state of California, including congregations, seminaries, ecumenical and interfaith organization and clergy alliances from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist and Native American traditions and more than 300 individual clergy and religious leaders are on file as “Friends of the Court” in support of equal marriage rights. To leave this religious voice out of the public dialogue misrepresents reality.
As an ordained clergyperson in the United Church of Christ, I stand in favor of full marriage equality. I am proud of my denomination, which has always taken a boldly prophetic stance on issues of social justice. The UCC was the first mainline Protestant denomination to ordain a woman, an African-American and an openly gay man. In 1985, we declared ourselves to be Open and Affirming of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, welcoming folks of diverse sexual orientations into all areas of church life and leadership. In 2005, our General Synod adopted a resolution affirming equal marriage rights for all.
First Congregational Church in Long Beach, the congregation which I serve, has been performing marriages for both opposite- and same-sex couples for years. We are thrilled that we can now sign a marriage license for every couple whose wedding is performed in our sanctuary. We know that many gay and lesbian folks who want to be married will not able to have their ceremonies in their own churches; they will be welcomed by us.
Being congregational in nature, not all members, clergy or churches within the United Church of Christ feel the same way that I do about marriage equality. But as a covenant church, we agree to talk about it, even argue about, and remain connected. I hope that we as Californians can do the same thing. We may differ in our opinions, but my theological beliefs need not curtail your civil rights. Nor visa versa.
