National Religious Leaders Respond to Proposition 8 Ruling

From the Washington Post - August 5, 2010

Below is a roundup of religious responses; this list will be updated as more congregations and religious organizations weigh in.

Catholic Church Statement by USCCB President Cardinal George:

"Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of any society. The misuse of law to change the nature of marriage undermines the common good," Cardinal George said. "It is tragic that a federal judge would overturn the clear and expressed will of the people in their support for the institution of marriage. No court of civil law has the authority to reach into areas of human experience that nature itself has defined."

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today's decision. California voters have twice been given the opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage in their state and both times have determined that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We agree. Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of society."

Family Research Council:

"Marriage is recognized as a public institution, rather than a purely private one, because of its role in bringing together men and women for the reproduction of the human race and keeping them together to raise the children produced by their union. The fact that homosexuals prefer not to enter into marriages as historically defined does not give them a right to change the definition of what a 'marriage' is."

Jewish Orthodox Union:

"Traditional Jewish values recognize marriage as being only between a man and woman. In addition to our religious values - which we do not seek to impose on anyone - we fear legal recognition of same-sex "marriage" poses a grave threat to the fundamental civil right of religious freedom."

Episcopal Bishop Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles:

"Justice is advancing thanks to today's ruling affirming Californians' constitutional right to marriage in faithful, same-gender relationships."

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism:

"Proposition 8, adopted by ballot initiative in 2008, effectively denies gay and lesbian individuals the same rights afforded heterosexual couples under the law. Judge Walker's decision reaffirms the strong commitment to equality upon which our nation is built."

Rev. Welton Gaddy, Baptist minister and President of Interfaith Alliance:

"We are pleased to see that Judge Vaughn Walker was sensitive to the concerns of people of faith who oppose same-gender marriage on religious grounds but that he recognized, as do we, that their religious freedom will not be impacted by the legalization of same-gender marriage. America's diverse religious landscape leaves room for a variety of theological perspectives on same-gender marriage; indeed, some faiths enthusiastically support it and others vehemently oppose it. Under this ruling, as with any constitutionally based marriage equality law, no religion would ever be required to condone same-gender marriage, and no member of the clergy would ever be required to perform a wedding ceremony not in accordance with his or her religious beliefs."

Statements from Religious Leaders on the West Coast to Proposition 8 Ruling

From the Just Out blog:

Clergy and religious leaders up and down the West Coast are among those celebrating today's California District Court ruling.

From Portland's Rev. Tara Wilkins, a United Church of Christ minister and executive director of the Community of Welcoming Congregations: "This is a victory for all those who work on the front lines to ensure equality. As a Christian, I must stand on the side of love, while insisting on justice. Civil marriage is separate from religious marriage and should not be denied for religious reasons."

"As people of faith we rejoice in this decision. … The American values of fairness and equal treatment under the law have won out and we thank God that justice has prevailed." — The Pacific School of Religion's Bernard Schlager, executive director of the school's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry

"Today, love prevailed over hate and justice prevailed over fear, as this country moved closer to living out its core values of liberty and justice for all. We celebrate this important decision with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families, knowing that where love is, God is there also." — Rev. Dr. Karen P. Oliveto, pastor of San Francisco's Glide Memorial Methodist Church

"Today's ruling is an important step forward in a long and valiant march in the direction of justice and hope. This victory should energize us for the next part of our journey together. When that journey ends and we have achieved full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, all of us will be able to look back with gratitude for the chances we have had to make such a positive difference in people's lives." — Rabbi Alan Bennett, of Temple Israel, Alameda, Calif.

"For my church, the court's ruling is a celebration, a moment in which our values are reflected in the policies and decisions of our country." — Rev. Dr. Brooks Brandt of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Vancouver

"[Judge Walker's] decision lives into the spirit of our country where there is equal protection for us all." — Rev. Natasha Brubaker-Garrison, priest at Eugene's Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Eugene

"As a Unitarian Universalist and as a human being, I am thrilled that more and more people are seeing more and more clearly that the right to marry who we love is a basic human right. When two people who love each other choose to marry, something new and holy arises in the world." — Rev. Dana Worsnop, minister at Atkinson Memorial Church in Oregon City