Voices of Faith: Anti-Marriage Amendment in Minnesota
- It’s as basic as the Golden Rule.
- Treating others as one would want to be treated includes allowing marriage for gay couples who are truly committed to each other.
- Most straight couples would never want someone telling them they couldn’t marry, and when they think about it, many say they wouldn’t want to deny that for anyone else.
- Opposing the anti-marriage amendment is a social justice issue, and we should strive to treat all people with the same dignity and respect no matter who they love.
- Opposing the anti-marriage amendment does not in any way coerce any religious faith or tradition to change its beliefs or doctrine, or alter its traditional marriage practices.
- Many people of faith recognize it should be up to each faith to decide for itself whether they choose to recognize marriage of same-sex couples, without being imposed on by the government. Marriage is the best way to preserve not just personal freedom in America, but also religious freedom.
Opposing the anti-marriage amendment fits in with the Catholic faith:
- Independent-minded Catholics know that families are helped and no one is hurt when committed same-sex couples are allowed to share in marriage.
- Catholics have consistently been among the most supportive of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.
- Catholics have always been generous with their resources and expect their generosity to aid their church, dioceses and the most needy, not anti-gay campaigns that fuel division and violate the Golden Rule.
- The Catholic faith calls people to fully commit to each other — laws in five states and the District of Columbia now provide couples with recognition of their lifetime commitment.
- Catholics are not monolithic. While the Catholic hierarchy often pushes certain positions, lay Catholics have a diversity of opinions, including strong stances in support of their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors.
- How the Catholic Church handles the sacrament of marriage is rightfully within the bishops' purview, however, ending civil marriage discrimination is a matter of promoting equal protections under the law.
- Many Catholics who support marriage for same-sex couples are guided by the Church's tradition as a leader in social justice issues.