Same-Gender Marriage and Religious Freedom

Yes I would like to start a conversation in my own community

We are very pleased to announce that the Newsweek / Washington Post OnFaith Forum is using our paper as the basis for this week's discussion.

While many faith traditions have grappled with issues of equality, including same-gender marriage, much of that work has been viewed through a scriptural lens. Interfaith Alliance seeks to shift the perspective on LGBT equality from that of problem to solution, from a scriptural argument to a religious freedom agreement, and to address the issue of equality as informed by our Constitution.

Same-Gender Marriage and Religious Freedom: A Call to Quiet Conversations and Public Debates by Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, offers a diversity of ideas based on Interfaith Alliance’s unique advocacy for religious freedom and interfaith exchange. This projects’s cross-denominational nature is at the core of Interfaith Alliance’s effort to spark national conversation and action.

This project is made possible through the support of the Arcus Foundation and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation. If you would like to donate to support this and other initiatives of the Interfaith Alliance please click here.

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Latest Comments

Posted by ModernMillie
Dwana wrote: "Clergy who won't marry gays will be prosecuted for hate crimes; gay activists will see to that." Dwana, you are a liar. As you know quite well, every "gay rights" law ever passed in the USA - indeed, every "race rights" law, every "gender rights" law, every "religious rights" law - has specifically EXCLUDED religious institutions from having to obey that law. Legally, religions can be as racist, as sexist, as homophobic, and as ...
Posted by Mary Martin Koski
Is this radicalism funded by my tax dollars? It is well known that anyone can sin as they please...as long as it doesn't hurt others...but, it always does hurt others! This site is so wrong in attempting to brain wash Americans and Judeo-Christians into believing that homosexuality is an OK option! You are guilty of causing children and adults to sin by doing this! And I don't agree with using my money to cause others to sin and lead an unholy li...
Posted by Rev. Leynda Erwin, The Kirk O' the Way
Alas, the one point no one seems to want to face: Marriage, by the defining means of any Prophet, is a union of two hearts and souls. Period. Just because the celebrants are Adam and Steve means naught. Were the "union of two bodies" the real point, there are many whom I'd have never put together, not even as friends. If a soul is true to the emotion, and a heart sharing all it may, who are we to say Annette and Stephanie should not enjoy the un...
Posted by Harold Bentley
Sure would cut down on unwanted pregnancies wouldn't it? Harold
Posted by MB
For those that say homosexuality is a choice, I have a son and a sister who are both gay and I can assure you it is genetic, although we obviously do not understand the genetic code that has caused this to occur for centuries. For those that point to God's word and say it is "in black and white" and wrong, I also point to the wise words of Rev. Oliver "Buzz" Thomas in his book "10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You": "So, is homosexuality...
Posted by Robert
I do not buy the arguement that homosexuals are simply born that way, and therefore should be allowed to act out their desires with like minded folk. All heterosexual men are born with the instinct to spread their seed as much as possible, into every attractive woman who walks by. Because that is how I am born, does that give me license to act on my feelings? Crack your Bible folks. The answers are in black and white.
Posted by sudad
why dont you start a medicin treatment for the people who feel that they are deferent from others like hormons or somthing medical anyway for me i respect all mankind and wish everybody goodness but i dont feel good when i look at two person who are the same sex getting married something wrong it is out of nature and against it so why we support something not naturally and against our nature this is wrong thing you are doing thank you
Posted by Bruce McGilvray
It's obvious that many of you have fallen for the (what has yet NEVER been proven) idea that homosexuality is genetic. I do not share such a notion and believe that it's a preferance and a choice. Even though I believe being gay is not genetic, I do believe a person's choice is theirs alone. Saying that, I have to say some things that many may not share about this subject. First, anyone who makes such speculations about the Bible that...
Posted by JSW
Since my faith permits same sex marriage, I take issue with those who would ban it. My first ammendment right to allow homosexual marriage is currently being restricted.
Posted by TK
The problem is that there's a huge misunderstanding in people who think civil marriage is a Church invention. Civil Marriage is a Pagan custom of civil law, and its purpose is for civil law, legal matters, nothing more. We inherited these pre-Christian laws. It has nothing to do with religious laws or the bible. In fact, I don't think the bible even mention's marriage anywhere. The Church didn't adopt the practice of marriage until after the...