From the Press Release:
The Massachusetts Catholic Conference (MCC), representing the Roman Catholic Bishops in Massachusetts, has joined with seventeen other major Catholic, Jewish and Protestant groups in filing an amicus brief in support of the federal Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA … a pdf copy of the brief is available here.
The religious groups, representing a broad array of faith perspectives, informed the court that even though they differ on various theological issues, they are united on the social and legal importance of defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The extraordinary array of groups joining the MCC on the brief included: the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; National Association of Evangelicals; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention; Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; Brethren in Christ Church; Christian and Missionary Alliance; Conservative Congregational Christian Conference; Evangelical Free Church of America; Evangelical Presbyterian Church; International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; International Pentecostal Holiness Church; Missionary Church; Open Bible Churches [USA]; United Brethren in Christ Church; and Wesleyan Church.
This is an excellent summary of their position on the case:
… The brief fault[s] the trial judge for characterizing DOMA as a product of bigotry: “[W]hatever (past or present) of particular individuals within our religious communities, we are united in condemning hatred and mistreatment of homosexuals. We believe that God calls us to love homosexual persons, even as we steadfastly defend our belief that traditional marriage is both divinely ordained and experientially best for families and society. This considered judgment is informed by our moral reasoning, our religious convictions, and our long experience counseling and ministering to adults and children. The district court’s ruling that, in enacting DOMA, Congress could only have been motivated by bigotry against homosexuals—and, hence, by implication, that our own support for DOMA and traditional marriage is so motivated—is inaccurate and unfair.”
13 Comments
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; "
That's from the Treaty of the Tripoli, ratified by the Senate (a majority vote). Basically means that the US is not a Christian nation, so that you can't deny SSM for reasons of religion.
Ideas are not adopted because of religious association Kieran, but because of merit. Marriage has proven to increase societal stability by strengthening children and families. SSM has no such evidence.
kieran - This was not a religious argument against changing the definition of marriage, it was an argument demonstrating that the trial judge's conclusion that bigotry was the reason for DOMA was flat-out wrong.
DOMA does not deny anyone anything; it merely codifies that which has been the case for thousands of years: marriage is the union of a man and a woman.
TC, Since 50% of all marriages fail, I'm wondering where you find your data to support that "marriage increases societal stability." I think you are referring to opinions, not statistics.
Bob, divorce happens when people decide marriage isn't important. Your statistics are merely case in point.
TC, with half of all straight married couples divorcing the data strongly states that marriage is not a stable institute. Again, you are weighting opinion and wishful thinking as statistical support for your argument. You can't take divorced people out of the equation.
The religious groups, representing a broad array of faith perspectives, informed the court that even though they differ on various theological issues, they are united in their prejudice and bigotry.
Bob, divorce happens because many people believe marriage is all about procreation and not about love.
No Dexter, divorce happens because too many people expect marriage to be a magical happiness spell, like in the Disney fairy tales. And once they have to deal with the responsibility and commitment that comes with marriage, they want out.
It is our hedonistic attitude that increases the divorce rate, an attitude that SSM will exacerbate.
TC: "Marriage has proven to increase societal stability by strengthening children and families."
This is one reason why we should not deny homosexuals the right to marry. Don't we want to protect the children. By not allowing homosexuals to marry, the many children being raised by same-sex children are being greatly harmed.
ConservativeNY: "It is our hedonistic attitude that increases the divorce rate, an attitude that SSM will exacerbate."
That's your opinion, not fact.
Actually Dexter, it's been proven that marriage supports the family and society. It has not ever been proven, historically or otherwise, that ssm would do the same. Given that ssm and marriage are based on two different sets of ideas, one beneficial to families and the other oppositional to families, I have not been convinced that neutering marriage for the sake of a few is a good idea for all.
Dexter, hedonistic attitudes have played a significant role in deteriorating the institution of marriage. Just look at the divorce rates in the states that have legalized SSM.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/Divorce%20Rates%2090%2095%20and%2099-07.pdf
the fact is they are going to ram their agenda down our throats whether we like it or not but in my opinion their "gay marriage" will never be the same as a heterosexual marriage. they can call me all the names they want but they can't make me acknowledge their "marriage" as legit!! their will be real marriage and their will be "gay marriage" and they will never be the same!!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Matthew Balan and Michael Lawrence Rob, Brian S. Brown. Brian S. Brown said: 18 Religious Groups file amicus brief in support of #DOMA. #NO4M #SSM #TCOT #Marriage http://dld.bz/JEJu [...]