Not all religious folks oppose marriage equality

Perhaps it's a minor point, but the New York Times has a rather surprising mistake in its story on same-sex marriage yesterday:

As a Christian -- he is a member of the United Church of Christ -- Mr. Obama believes that marriage is a sacred union, a blessing from God, and one that is intended for a man and a woman exclusively, according to these supporters and Obama campaign advisers.

So what's the problem with the story?

It turns out that the United Church of Christ supports marriage equality:

"On this July 4, the United Church of Christ has courageously acted to declare freedom, affirming marriage equality, affirming the civil rights of gay - of same-gender - couples to have their relationships recognized as marriages by the state, and encouraging our local churches to celebrate those marriages," Mr. Thomas said at a news conference after the vote by the General Synod.

Now, it's possible that Obama personally opposes same-sex marriage due to his own religious views.  It doesn't bother me all that much if he does, since he opposes DOMA and wants it repealed.  If the law were repealed, his administration would presumably be reasonably good about ensuring that federal marriage benefits are extended to same-sex married couples.

But the New York Times, especially on the eve of an important and close vote on marriage equality, should take note of the fact that UCC, as a denomination, has been outspoken in its support of same-sex marraige.  The implication of that paragraph, and the subtle suggestion that all Christians oppose marriage equality, is simply false.



Display:


Not me (2.00 / 2)

Sunday school teaching Christian, here.  I support No on prop 8.  I support marriage (and all other forms of) equality.


Liberal in So Cal
by lqbruin on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 10:52:55 AM EST

Re: Not all religious folks oppose marriage equali (2.00 / 2)

Roman Catholic from the NE. Liberal. Pro-Gay marriage. It's a no-brainer to me: equality is equality and love is love.


www.payd.org Keeping PA Blue
by dannybauder on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 11:07:42 AM EST

Not all religious folks oppose marriage equality (2.00 / 1)

Just because my church does not support gay marriage is no reason that members of other churches should not be able to sponsor gay marriages.   (For that matter, many of us in my church--Roman Catholic--support gay marriage but as for the institutional church, it's going to be a long hard slog, probably not completed in my lifetime.  Married priests and/or women priests will come first....)


by InigoMontoya on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 02:43:37 PM EST

Re: Not all religious folks oppose (none / 0)

Thanks, Shai.

I'm an Episcopalian. I live in New Hampshire. Put these two things together, and you realize, my bishop has a civil union.


The Wayward Episcopalian
by Transplanted Texan on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 03:49:16 PM EST

Re: Not all religious folks oppose marriage equali (none / 0)

Shai,

What's worse is that Obama and Biden have both come out against Prop 8, as have a slew of Republican politicians (including Governor Schwarzenegger), and faith-based leaders.  

The Yes on 8 campaign is trying to distort Barack Obama's position on this issue, but Obama fired back yesterday with a great statement urging Californians to reject Prop 8.

Great post.

http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/th e_roundup_politicians_on_both_sides_spea k_out_against_proposition_8


by mikeajo on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 04:37:54 PM EST

Re: Not all religious folks oppose marriage equali (none / 0)

I am a member of a UCC Church. Personally I am okay with civil unions.....but dead set against gay marriage. In my humble view there is a reaons why God gave man and woman the ability to procreate. Marriage is for one man and one woman.....I live in CT and am disgusted by the court allowing gay marriage......disgraceful as far as I am concerned.


by adb67 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 08:20:47 PM EST

Re: Not all religious folks oppose marriage equali (none / 0)

I'm a UCC member and was proud of that moment.  

I think Obama is in favor of it (or doesn't care) and just feels coming out in favor would hurt him nationally (which is probably true.)    

I think any Marriage should be recognized Gay or Straight.

That being said, I also don't think the government can or should force churches to accept Gay Marriage.    An individual pastor should have the right to marry a couple if he wants too and NOT marry them if he wants too.

But all couples, gay or straight should be able to be married by a Justice of the piece... or church of life pastor (whatever the name of the internet church so you can marry people is)... or any church that allows their people to marry gay men or women.  But either way, gay couples deserve all the rights my wife and I have.


by yitbos96bb on Sun Nov 02, 2008 at 01:29:20 AM EST


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.