California's top Episcopal bishops oppose gay marriage ban

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: California's top Episcopal bishops oppose gay marriage ban
The state's six most senior Episcopal bishops go on the record against Prop. 8, the fall ballot measure that would reverse the California Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex couples to marry.
By Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 10, 2008

California's six most senior Episcopal bishops today unanimously declared their opposition to a constitutional amendment on the statewide November ballot that would ban same-sex marriage.

The bishops argued that preserving the right of gays and lesbians to marry would enhance the "Christian values" of monogamy, love and commitment.

"We believe that continued access to civil marriage for all, regardless of sexual orientation, is consistent with the best principles of our constitutional rights," said the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

"We do not believe that marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage."...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gaymarriage11-2008sep11,0,3495332.story

[JuniperLea]

1. That's what I call walking the talk!

Kudos to the bishops!

[JDPriestly]

2. Civil marriage is a basic fundamental human right.

Loving v. Virginia. It cannot be denied on the basis of race and should not be denied on the basis of gender. It may be denied on the basis of age and certain other factors for which denial of the right is justified on rational bases or significant or compelling grounds for denying the right to marry.

Churches can refuse to marry whomever they wish for whatever reason, but the government should not be able to deny qualified adults the right to marry based on gender or sexual preference. We do not deny the right to marry to the elderly (although beyond child-bearing ages) or the disabled (even if unable to consummate the marriage), so why should we deny it to people based on sexual preference or gender.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I just had to recommend and put my two cents worth in on this one.

Thank you Episcopal bishops.

[JerseygirlCT]

3. Good for them!

They've got some terrific Episcopalians in CA!