GAY
AND LESBIAN FAMILIES
Defending the Constitution
June 2, 2004
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS
GROUPS URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE
AMENDMENT
Dear Representative:
As leaders representing many of the diverse perspectives
on religion in our nation, we are writing to urge
you to oppose passage of H. J. Res. 56/S. J. Res.
26, the "Federal Marriage Amendment."
Although we have differing opinions on rights
for same-sex couples, we believe the Federal Marriage
Amendment reflects a fundamental disregard for
individual civil rights and ignores differences
among our nation1s many religious traditions.
It should be rejected.
Few decisions by religious
bodies are more central than who can take part
in important religious rituals or services, including
marriage. Fortunately, the Constitution bars any
court or legislature from requiring any religious
institution or person to perform marriage ceremonies
for anyone. Indeed, the Constitution protects
houses of worship in their freedom to limit marriages
on whatever theological grounds they choose. The
First Amendment already protects religious organizations
from governmental interference in such matters,
and constitutional definitions of marriage therefore
are unnecessary.
Regardless of judicial and
legislative decisions defining the legal rights
of gay couples, religious marriage will justly
remain the prerogative of individual faith traditions
in accordance with their doctrinal beliefs. And
this is as it should be. It is not the task of
our government and elected representatives to
enshrine in our laws the religious point of view
of any one faith. Rather, our government should
dedicate itself to protecting the rights of all
citizens and all faiths.
For over two hundred years,
the Constitution has had no provision on marriage,
the matter being left to the states and the teachings
of various religious groups. Our nation1s founders
adopted the First Amendment precisely because
they foresaw the dangers posed by allowing government
to have control over religious decisions. The
religious freedom protected by the First Amendment
has allowed religious practice and pluralism to
flourish. Respecting the rights of those in the
faith community who deem sacred text consistent
with the blessing of same-sex relationships protects
and ensures that freedom.
We are particularly concerned
that this proposal to amend the Constitution would,
for the first time, restrict the civil rights
of millions of Americans. That concern alone merits
rejection of the Federal Marriage Amendment. We
strongly believe that Congress must continue to
protect the nation1s fundamental religious freedoms
and continue to protect our nation1s bedrock principle
of respecting religious pluralism. Congress should
soundly reject any attempt to enshrine into the
Constitution a particular religious viewpoint
on a matter of such fundamental religious importance.
Sincerely,
Alliance of Baptists American
Friends Service Committee (Quaker)
American Jewish Committee
Anti-Defamation League
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christians for Justice Action
Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of
Christ)
Episcopal Church, USA
Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quaker)
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (Sikh)
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Loretto Women's Network (LWN) (Catholic Order)
Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
National Conference for Community and Justice
National Council of Jewish Women
National Sikh Center
Metropolitan Community Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
Protestant Justice Action Sikh Council on Religion
and Education (SCORE) The Interfaith Alliance
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries
Women of Reform Judaism
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