Marriage and Religious Freedom

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and leaders of other religions joined together in a statement of support for traditional marriage.  They warn of the threat to religious liberty posed by gay marriage.

The leaders wrote: “We believe the most urgent peril is this: forcing or pressuring both individuals and religious organizations—throughout their operations, well beyond religious ceremonies—to treat same-sex sexual conduct as the moral equivalent of marital sexual conduct.There is no doubt that the many people and groups whose moral and religious convictions forbid same-sex sexual conduct will resist the compulsion of the law, and church-state conflicts will result." 

Noman would consider it unjust that a federal law should compel the vast majority of people to repent of, and reverse, ancient beliefs bearing the stamps of wisdom and experience, especially one's regarding so foundational a social institution as marriage.  

In the first place, it would be insane.  In the second, that is what the religion clauses of the 1st Amendment were supposed to prevent.

In return for enshrining the idiosyncratic view of organized activists whose amplified voices are relentlessly and exclusively cannonaded at the public's consciousness by Hollywood and the media, America will lose something much more essential to its nature, liberty and survival than Fred-and-Ted couplings, viz. religious freedom.

“[These conflicts] will arise in a broad range of legal contexts, because altering the civil definition of ‘marriage’ does not change one law, but hundreds, even thousands, at once.By a single stroke, every law where rights depend on marital status—such as employment discrimination, employment benefits, adoption, education, healthcare, elder care, housing, property, and taxation—will change so that same-sex sexual relationships must be treated as if they were marriage. That requirement, in turn, will apply to religious people and groups in the ordinary course of their many private or public occupations and ministries—including running schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other housing facilities, providing adoption and counseling services, and many others,” they said.

The diversity of the group, which includes leaders from the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, and Pentecostal communities in the United States, signals that this is not just a Catholic issue.

Demonizing the Church might bear fruit for community organizers whose aim is to upset the apple cart of civilization.

But, fair minded observers will know that She is taking a beating--a crucifixion, one might analogize--for venerable principles historically shared by nearly all, as She does for her stands on other sexually-related matters such as abortion.

The letter itself reads as follows:

Marriage is the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family. Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of all of society, not just religious communities.

As religious leaders across different faith communities, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We honor the unique love between husbands and wives; the indispensible place of fathers and mothers; and the corresponding rights and dignity of all children. 

Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society in innumerable ways. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is not a special or limited interest but serves the good of all. Therefore, we invite and encourage all people, both within and beyond our faith communities, to stand with us in promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Noman is certain that these brave leaders would appreciate your support, and encourages you show it in prayer, donations, letters of support, the organizing of events, and in whatever ways you might devise.

Lend your voice.  Don't let it be ridiculed, muted and dismissed because of a monopolized media that is hell bent on destroying the religious liberty of all for the sexual libertinism of the few.