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A Constitutional Amendment would be a disaster! Please be sensible and in line with the liberal (notice small ‘l’) principles that have made our country great.
All are entitled to happiness and freedom of choice.
Although I still believe that marriage between a man and a woman provides clear role models for children of both sexes, I do not believe that those of us who prefer the heterosexual arrangement entitles our government or religious groups to dictate a matter of conscience to those who do not agree with their preferences. People have a constitutional right to exercise their personal choices under the United States Constitution. Government should not be involved in this debate or legislate decisions on the issue.
Amen!
Amendments to the Constitution have historically been used to protect rights, not take them away. This sets a very bad precedent for the future of our country and the separation between Church and State that this system of government was built on. To interfere in this way, in the most private part of its citizens lives, this government is acting in a most repressive manner. Did we oppose Communism only to become it? Please vote NO on this amendment.
As a Baptist minister, I am appalled that this amendment is even being considered. The history of this nation is one that always has moved toward more recognition for its minorities, not less. I strongly urge you to vote against this regressive amendment to our nation’s constitution.
As a lesbian, I can’t say it enough: thank you, thank you, thank you, for your efforts on behalf of human dignity in general and the gay community in particular. As a UU myself, I was not surprised to see the UUA listed — I was gratified to see how many other denominations are represented in your group. I shall keep you all in my prayers tonight.
As a member of my Synod’s commission for gays and lesbians I have heard the stories from those this would afffect. Please consider well the ramifications of the senate’s decision!
As a member of the progressive religious majority in the middle which embraces love, compassion for the poor, and equal justice for ALL, I no will no longer be silent. We must speak out strongly for these fundamentals which we hold dear.
As a person of faith I pray that our nation may live true to its creed that all people are created equal, and will treat all couples with fairness and respect.
As a wedding officiant who performs commitment ceremonies and same-sex marriages, I have been impressed by the gay and lesbian couples I have met, who lead good, decent, contributing lives. They too deserve what the rest of us take for granted!
As an African American Pastor who serves a predominantly African American congregation, I know something the crippling effects of institutional discrimination. Homophobia is the last acceptable prejudice in America, and it must be challenged with the same moral force and populist energy that brought down segregation.
As an American Baptist, I am stunned at the direction my denomination seems to be going. The current thrust for extreme conservatism and the move to “disfellowship” any opposing churches is not only shocking but goes against the basic historic tenets of our denomination. There are other American Baptist pastors who feel as I do but we are sadly in the minority. I applaud any group that supports the welcome and inclusion of all believers into the family of faith!
As someone in a 21 year relationship, I know that marriage conveys many blessings, but marriage between two people of the same sex would add many legal benefits now denied. There should not be two classes of citizens in a democracy—those legally married and those unable to marry. Do not add a discriminatory clause to the constitution, one that we will regret in the future. Now is the time to declare all people equal under the law.
As we in New Orleans struggle to survive, I thank you for working on this very important issue.
Besides being a moral/ethical question, this is also a question of freedom of religion. Those who believe only in the sacrament of monogamous heterosexual marriage cannot be allowed to force their dogmas on those of us who believe differently by political means… My religious tradition, just as venerable and well founded as any of theirs, believes in and sanctifies same sex marriages.
By the definition of “God ordained marriage” which opponents of gay marriage use to support their cause, they defeat their own argument. If marriage is indeed “god ordained” then it is out of the jurisdiction of our American constitutional democracy (make no laws respecting the establishment of religion) – therefore, NO marriage should be sanctioned by our government… hetero, homo, or any other. The federal government DOES have the authority to oversee “civil unions” but by definition (if god is part of the definition) “marriage” should exist outside of government jurisdiction.
Civil Marriage is a Civil Right. Discrimination does not belong in our constitution. Morality stands on the side of love and commitmentment not fear and hatred. As Jesus reached out to all people with a message of love so should we.
Civil rights are for all of us. Churches can make their own rules about religious marriage. We pay the same taxes – let’s live fairly by the same laws.
For the life of me I cannot understand the uproar by conservative “Christians” over same sex unions and marriages. How is that demeaning or hurting conventional unions?
God save us from “religious” fundamentalists.
God’s kingdom and love is not exclusive, but open to all people. This is PURE DISCRIMINATION and IT IS WRONG!!!
Honor the First Amendment; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;...
I am affiliated with the Reconstructionist denomination of Judiasm. Our denomination specifically endorses same-sex marraige. The proposed Amendment violates our First Amendment rights to the free excerise of our religious views. As a religious leader I reject the idea that there are compelling reasons that meet the constiutional standard required in order to restrict my freedom to practice my religion. I am a second generation rabbi (my father was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of the Conservative Movement).
I am an Evangelical Christian, graduate of Moody Bible Institute and two leading seminaries. I’ve been ordained 30 years and have done HIV chaplaincy for 11 of those years. I am profoundly disturbed by the current administration’s obsession with sexuality and specifically homosexuality. For gay/Lesbian people to have the same rights that the rest of us have is only fair—and for government to interfere in ANY affairs of local churches pertaining to religious ceremonies of any sort (including marriages, etc.) would be to trample the constitution’s guarantee of separation of church and state. Please don’t let that happen!
I am even more concerned about the proposed amendment to the Virginia constitution. Both are out of line for a free people.
I am joining because of your moral and principled stance against the bigotry inherent in amending the US Constitution in order to discriminate against one particular US minority by virtue of who they happen to be(i.e. same sex couples). It is a highly political, immoral and divisive move. Thank you for creating an organization for clergy people of conscience.
I am not only offended by this amendment, but I am concerned about its implications for the safety and freedom of the gay and lesbian citizens in this country. Is this just the beginning of something bigger?
I am so glad that people of faith are speaking up against this disturbing amendment. We are called to be people of compassion and justice, this amendment is designed to divide America. Please use your elected offices for equal rights and dignity for all.
I am strongly opposed to any attempt to write discrimination of any kind into the Constitution by means of amendments. Our great national tradition has been constantly to expand, not to contract, citizens’ civil rights.
I am very much against the Marriage Protection Act. I have a daughter who is gay and believe with my whole heart and soul that God made her who she is!
I am weary, indeed, of right-wing “Christians” whose desire seems to be to rule with an iron fist in a nation that supposedly is a democracy.
I appreciate the opportunity to support this important cause. The so called religious right has been a source of scandel and has perverted the message of Christ to achieve political ends. Thank You for your efforts to protect our personal liberties. Attempts to leglislate ‘morality’have led to anti-Christ like behavior. History clearly attests to this fact. Please be assured of our prayers as we fight together against the forces of bigotry and injustice.
I began my ministry in Massachusetts, and have had the privilege of legally marrying couples there. Equal means Equal, there are no gray areas. Civil Marriage is a Civil Right. Please open your hearts to all of humanity. Bless you and thank you.
I believe that marriage is an occasion for family, friends, and relgious community to give a blessing to a sacred contract and commitment between two individuals who pledge to faithfulness and mutual honor. The civil aspect of this contract is recognized by the larger community and the legal system, designed to ensure certain rights and responsibilities of citizens. A marriage amendment has no place in our constitutional process.
I certainly wish the Federal Government would stop trying to legislate private things, like religion. The attempt to put one person’s religious disposition into the constitution of the United States rules out some other person’s freedom. This is exactly why we have a constitution, to assure that ALL might enjoy equal freedom. Do not, please, do any more damage to our constitution.
I deplore any attempt to marginalize these fine people from our society. Surely, our constitution was and is intended to extend freedom to our citizens—to protect them from discrimination—not to discriminate against them.
I have been an Episcopal priest for nearly 30 years, and have presided at the marriage of countless couples. Many of those couples remain married, but, sadly, many do not. In every case where a marriage failed, not one of them came to me afterwards, blaming it on gay people who wanted their committed relationships honored. It was always about economics, unfaithfulness, incompatibility or a host of other causes.
What ails heterosexual marriage cannot be solved by punishing and diminishing gay people who are trying to live in faithfulness. It can only be cured by heterosexual couples taking responsibility and living the “promises and vows that they make” (Book of Common Prayer, Marriage Liturgy).
Marriage does not need to be “defended” nearly so much as it needs simply to be lived—and when it comes to gay people, let’s live and let live.
I have been in a committed relationship with my now married life partner for 14 years. We were married on June 27, 2004 after Marriage became legal in Massachusetts for Gay and Lesbian residents. Let us continue to work for marriage equality for all people. As a person of faith and a member of the clergy, I uphold the rights and dignity of all people. Please respect marriage equality. Marriage is about love and respect. Please act on the side of love. Oppose discrimination. Thank you.
I think that the marriage Amendment is wrong and should not be allowed to happen. I am married to a woman, but I also believe that all people should have the same right that I had. The U. S. Constitution of America was written to protect all American’s their Rights. It was not written to give some American’s the right to decide what rights all Americans would or will live by. This is a “FREE” nation run by the people and for the people, not for some of the people!
I’d like to remind our leaders that they swore on the Bible to uphold the Constitution, not the other way around. I AM one of The People, and my rights deserve to be upheld!
I’m so excited to learn about this group. We’re currently working in SC to build a coalition of clergy who oppose the Family Discrimination Amendment which will be on the South Carolina ballot in November 2006.
I’m very saddened that we pick and choose issues that polarize us. To me this issue is of the same ilk as other civil rights matters. Judgement is based upon superiority … in this case, male/female over any other. Let religious organizations choose and fend for themselves. We’ve already had discrimination in our constitution when we as black people were considered 3/4th of a human being. No we’re doing it to others. STOP. NOW.
It is about time that people, of religious affiliation in terms of being pro-equality in marriage for same-sex families, stand up and decry efforts to marganilize and monopolize America’s religious/societal perspective through a unconstitutional amendment.
It is inconceivable in my mind that government should tell religious institutions whom they can share the blessings of God in the marriage estate. Government needs to tend to many issues — more important than the regulation our of communal life — such as, the economy, taxes, health care, issues of war and peace, and not meddle in matters of personal faith and practices. As a devoted Christian I am against the proposed Constitutional amendment being considered in Congress.
It is said that there are as many paths to God as there are people. Please do not impose your path on anyone else. Doing this is not spiritual and it is not Christian.
Jesus spent his life teaching love and inclusion of all God’s people. The Constitution was written to give rights, not take them away. You cannot vote for this amendment as a good Christian or a good American.
Laws should be about promoting the well being and happiness of all of our citizens not restricting benefits to the beliefs of a vocal group. I am a middle age straight, white woman raised in the Bible belt and I think civil marriage should be open to everyone. If a church wants to not perform those marriages, that is within their right but the beliefs of one church should not restrict the rights of all citizens.
Let us live in love, not judgment.
Let’s not dishonor our U.S. Constitution by using it to restrict human rights and infringe on religious liberty by discriminating against a particular group. It’s legally and morally wrong.
Love knows no boundries.
Loving, committed mongamous relationships are holy, regardless of gender. Discrimination, under any banner, is not.
Marriage is a Covenant between two people and God. I believe the only requirement God has is that you truly love the other person and, you both, make a solemn vow to spend the rest of your lives together through thick & thin, forsaking all others. Any two people that can make that promise to God, and keep it have the Right to spend the rest of their lives together living as one. Marriage is a Holy estate and I believe God gives it to one and all that come to that alter in faith and sincerity. Man has no POWER over what God gives. It is Mans vanity that makes him think he can speak for God. The God I know speaks for HIMSELF. Thanks
Marriage is a religious rite, not a governmental one. The proposed “Marriage Amendment” is nothing more than a government endorsement of a particular set of religious beliefs, which is prohibited by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
No discrimination in US Constitution! Fairness for all! Married over thirty years – we don’t feel thretened!
Our meeting held its first same-gender marriage this year—a member of our Meeting, who grew up in our Meeting, and her partner. It was a wonderful, ceremony in which we held the commitment of two wonderful people to each other in prayer, in the Light of God’s love. Bigotry and hatred may be someone’s values, but they are not mine, or those of my congregation. They do not belong in the U.S. Constitution.
Over the weekend, I heard a report on NPR’s ‘This American Life’ about a man who as a boy was removed from his mother’s home and placed in foster care because the white mother had had a child with a black man. The report reminded us that only just 40 years ago interracial marriage was against the law (in the South). The report noted that the common comment on interracial physical relations was that it was “unnatural” and “against God’s law”.
It’s sad that after all the bad things that have happened “in the name of the Lord”, people can still convince themselves that their hateful/phobic views are shared by God.
In these times of polarization, hate and fear-mongering — good for you to stand tall against the raging current — to me, that is what true spirituality is all about.
Please include my opposition to the Marriage Protection Amendment. I am in a 21 year relationship, and would marry, but Alabama does not permit.
Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof (Lev 25:10 – Inscription on Liberty Bell)
Setting aside the obvious political motivations born of desperation and the divisive nature of same-sex marriage/unions among people of faith and goodwill, the matter of inscribing prejudice and injustice into the US Constitution sets a nightmarish precedent.
Simply put, it is immoral to add discrimination to our Constitution.
Six cheers for you!! Power to your purpose!!
Stand on the side of Love. Together for 16 years, my married life partner and I will celebrate our 2nd year of marriage in June. Please safeguard the dignity of all persons. Do not write discrimination into the Constitution.
Thank you for keeping up this fight — it is crucial to me personally, to my congregation and to our world.
Thank you for providing a voice to those speaking for others who are intimidated and mistreated for being who they are. All people of goodwill should do everything possible to protect our Constitition against the evils of bigotry and ignorance.
Thank you! This is the kind of reasoned argument needed to restore sanity to government. I am hopeful we will have good results, in the name of freedom, and standing on the side of love.
The same concern is shared here in Virginia where an unnecessary and mean-spirited amendment to the state constitution has been proposed.
The US Constitution is a delicate and honored document not to be tampered with lightly. The proposed amendment is an affront to Christian principles of inclusion, love and non-judgement. What would Jesus do? Tell someone to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, soothe the suffering and for God’s sake, stop bombing people anywhere in the world. Thank you. Do not pass this amendment.
There are those who would have you believe that if same sex partners are permitted to marry, that their own marriage would be jeopardized. I ask “How?” It was but 40 years ago that interracial marriage was prohibited by a third of our states and the same arguments were used then as now. Treating fellow citizens as somehow less worthy is discrimination of the worst kind. The irony is that many partnerships between gays last longer than marriages. It’s time we stop worrying about who is what color or belongs to what church or is or is not gay. It’s time for all of us to be considered Americans.
This cause is near and dear to me. I have had the occasion of meeting many gay individuals through my brother-in-law. This individual committed suicide because of the unbearable double life he felt he must lead. I have rejoiced in following the lives of the many gay couples that he left behind who were such a support to us upon his death. The love between these couples are as real as any marriage commitment.
This is a turning point in our nation’s history. We should be able to unite behind our concern for justice and respect for individual rights no matter our theological and personal diversity. This opens a door that will be very difficult to close which will change the fabric of our nation’s future.
This is exactly the direction I believe that religion should be going: creating a positive influence in the lives of ALL people, not choosing who is good and who should be ignored or repudiated. Those who wish to propagate religious beliefs need to do so through peaceful action and positive, constructive belief systems and structures. You should all be proud of yourselves.
This is wonderful to hear about. Tolerance is the message of many religions, and it is the path towards peace.
Though my church does not support same-sex marriage, as an American I do not feel that it’s okay to legislate my church’s teachings. We are a land of many religions. I am free to not marry a same-sex partner, so this amendment makes no sense. If someone doesn’t believe in same-sex marriage, then they should not marry a same-sex partner. How hard is that? Another person’s state of marriage has no bearing on my own state of marriage, nor its quality.
Unless it was changed recently I always thought our pledge of allegiance ends “...with liberty and justice FOR ALL.”
We have serious problems in our great country and on this planet. Whether gay people wish to solemnize their relationships in marriage is NOT one of them. My wife’s and my wonderful marriage of almost 29 years is not diminished a bit by gay people getting married.