Religion
Related: About this forumNontheists Applaud Supreme Court Decisions on DOMA, Prop 8
Both cases impact marriage equality. Californias Proposition 8, barred same-sex marriage in the state, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act, denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
Executive Director, Edwina Rogers, said the Coalition celebrates the Courts decision on DOMA, noting that the U.S. Constitution extends equal protection of the law to all citizens.
Efforts to restrict same-sex couples from access to civil marriage are blatant attempts to insert religious beliefs into our secular government, Rogers said. We applaud the Courts decision on DOMA and Proposition 8, but we recognize there is still a lot of work to be done throughout the country in ensuring that marriage equality is the rule for all.
http://secular.org/news/nontheists-applaud-supreme-court-decisions-doma-prop-8
cbayer
(146,218 posts)The enormity of todays decisions cannot be overstated. The combined impact of these two rulings puts our nation further down the inevitable and proper path towards full marriage equality for the LGBT community. All Americans should rejoice in todays decisions because they bring us that much closer to fulfilling the promise of our Constitution.
- Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of Interfaith Alliance
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which we vigorously opposed when it was first considered, has been an offensive and discriminatory measure since its passage in 1996. Since then millions have been denied fundamental rights because of the impact of this ill-advised law. Though that law still stands, todays ruling in Windsor v. United States promises to lessen some of its most damaging effects. By striking down Article Three of DOMA a section of the law that the Obama Administration stopped defending several years ago the Court has enabled legally married same-sex couples to receive the same federal benefits, rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples.
- Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Women of Reform Judaism and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
We at Muslims for Progressive Values are thrilled in the Supreme Courts decision to strike down the definition of marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman. The Quran defines marriage as the union of two souls. We congratulate the Supreme Court for affirming the universal values of justice and equality for all and in its decision to dismiss the appeal of Proposition 8.
- Ani Zonneveld, President, Muslims for Progressive Values
This is a great day for marriage equality, for all couples, gay or straight, because the Supreme Court has underscored the central point that marriage is ultimately about deep commitment between two people who love one another, not prescribed gender roles. While we still yearn for the day when equal marriage is fully legal, granted and protected in all 50 states, this is a great step toward full freedom and recognition for LGBT people by the U.S. federal government.
- Rev. J. Bennett Guess, executive minister of the United Church of Christs Local Church Ministries
2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)trotsky
(49,533 posts)You routinely start threads to promote religious groups and their stances on progressive issues.
Why can't you allow one for non-theists without having to piss on it?
How dare you suggest that there are religious people who are also in full support of LGBT rights in general and marriage equality in particular? Don't you know that makes Baby Dickie cry? (And just in case anyone needs it, explained, that's sarcasm.)
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Doesn't matter if you are a believer, a non-believer or something in between.
And it's about damn time.
okasha
(11,573 posts)I'm hoping that striking DOMA down will have a ripple effect on state constitutional amendments prohibiting equal marriage.
And last night Senator Wendy Davis and her supporters in the gallery successfully filibustered a Republican attempt to impose further restrictions on abortion providers in the state. Thank the gods some people are finally remembering that this is the state of Ann Richards, Molly Ivins, Sam Yarborough, Henry Gonzalez and past and present liberal Democrats too numerous to mention.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)It's taking longer than some like, but this ship appears to be turning around.
okasha
(11,573 posts)But I think this is the foreshadowing of Governor Goodhair's involuntary retirement as well as the return of some common sense.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)He was relatively unknown prior to that, but now he can't do anything without getting national attention.
And that attention has not been that good.
Heddi
(18,312 posts)"Today is a devastating day for traditional marriage and religious freedom,
--Southern Evangelical Seminary President Richard Land
While civil law establishes societal standards of conduct, we must also consider the natural law, moral law and divine revelation, Bishop Wester said. It is from these fonts of wisdom and grace that we Catholics understand that marriage between one man and one woman is a gift to humanity. The blessings of such a marriage cannot be legislated, litigated or changed by civil authorities.
--The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Catholic Bishop of Salt Lake City
We are deeply saddened by todays decision to not only allow but encourage same-sex marriage in our country a country that was founded on biblical principles." We must warn against the coming persecution, the barrage of criticism and the aggressive action of the homosexual agenda to indoctrinate and change the thoughts and convictions of Americans to accept this lifestyle as the new normal, Wildmon said, adding that he was also concerned about the trend to classify statements that have a biblical foundation as hate speech.'
--Tim Wildmon, President, American Family Association
Leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America issued a statement from their New York City headquarters, reiterating the historical position of the Jewish faith, enunciated unequivocally in our Bible, Talmud and Codes, which forbids homosexual relationships and condemns the institutionalization of such relationships as marriages.
By ruling that supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to bring this case to court, the Supreme Court has highlighted troubling questions about how our democratic and judicial system operates
---LDS spokesman Michael Otterson.
Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, in a joint statement, called Wednesday a tragic day for marriage and our nation.
Sam Rohrer, president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network: We are stunned at this decision today to take a 360-degree turn away from the biblical definition of marriage. While this decision is a setback to all we have fought for to protect marriage, we must continue to work to keep marriages and families intact, the way God intended them, and pray for a continued revival of the values upon which this country was founded.
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput:In striking down Sec. 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States v. Windsor, the Court leaves intact at least for now state constitutional definitions of marriage as an institution restricted to one man and one woman. As Justice Samuel Alito points out in his dissent, no federal right to same-sex marriage exists. The Constitution simply does not establish one. As Catholics we believe marriage needs to be strengthened, not redefined. It is a great gift to men, women, children and society. Affirming the true definition of marriage denies no one his or her basic rights. On the contrary protecting marriage affirms the equal dignity of women and men and safeguards the basic rights of children.
Same-sex unions, whatever legal form they take, cannot create new life. They cannot duplicate the love of a man and woman. But they do copy marriage and family, and in the process, they compete with and diminish the uniquely important status of both. The legal battle about marriage will continue. And the Churchs commitment to promote the authentic meaning of marriage and family will be vigorously pursued.
"They are rejecting the truth. It's a sad day," said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. "Christians have to live in the world in which we live. We will adapt and adjust to the realities of the law change. At the same time we will continue to preach, declare, and live the truth that our God does not get involved in swing votes and cultural change when there is a biblical principle at stake."
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But don't pay any attention to them. These are just spokespeople for small local church groups. They have paltry number of members and hold no sway in local, regional, or national politics. Remember, we've been told this countless times by numerous religionists on this board that THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS are pro-gay, pro-women, anti-hell, etc. etc.
For example, the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints has a membership that numbers a paltry 14.7 million.
The Roman Catholic Church, another local church that many people have never heard of states their membership to be a laughable 1.2 billion members, or 17.5% of the world's population. Hardly even worth noting.
Orthodox Jews have only a few million members, so like the LDS and Catholic Church, they really don't have any meaningful numbers of congregations to make any difference in politics or societal matters.
The American Family Association has hardly any financial backing, as they only own upwards of 200 radio stations in 33 states and have a revenue of about $17 million a year.
The Southern Baptist Convention has a membership of 16 million, and it's the second largest Christian body in the US after the Catholic Church.
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Remember...mainstream religions have NO ISSUES with Gay marriage. Mainstream American Christian Religions have NO ISSUES with Gay Marriage. Say it long enough and you'll start to believe it
Rob H.
(5,351 posts)LOL, Wildmon can't even get his poutrage right. If a person starts at the biblical definition of marriage and makes a 360-degree turn, he winds up facing the same direction he was when he started!
Circles. How the @#$% do they work?
Edited to add: It's worth noting that his group, the American Family Association, is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Not that some of the others quoted aren't among the Who's Who of Theocratic Assholes, but still, his feelings on the matter should mean sweet fuck-all to the national media.