Yeh! What They Said!
October 29, 2008
On this, Write to Marry Day, I asked Rev. Steve Harms, the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, the congregation in spiritual partnership with SisterFriends Together, to offer some thoughts on marriage equality. Following Steve’s comments are several videos from other clergy speaking in opposition to Prop 8. They are all worth a listen.
The “Yes on 8″ campaign continues to hide their attempt at writing discrimination into the California Constitution by arguing that continuing to allow gays and lesbians to marry is a threat to religious freedom. This is nothing less than a lie; a lie because the First Amendment has always and will always protect freedom of religious practice, and a lie because Prop 8 is a civil justice issue and not a religious issue. Since June of this year gay and lesbian Californians have been able to legally marry. Prop 8 will strip away this right. This is about justice, about equality, about fairness. It is not a religious matter.
Even so, as people of Christian faith we must speak up against Prop 8, not because it’s a religious issue, but because as believers, Prop 8, in the very action it seeks, goes against the central message of Jesus’ life and teaching; that there remains no greater command than to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is our Christian calling and one we’re to follow and demonstrate in all areas of our lives; at home, in church, and in the world. Prop 8 has become for some of it’s faith-based supporters, a religious issue void of any witness of what it means to be a Christian in the world. Prop 8 has nothing to do with people loving their gay and lesbian neighbor as they love themselves for inequality and discrimination are completely void of love. Denying children the right to have their family named a family of equal worth to other children demonstrates anything but love. Being content, if not demanding, to have more rights and protections than your neighbor enjoys is never love.
Please do something today to stop Prop 8 from passing. Make a donation. If you already have, make another one. Despite the current financial crunch we all are feeling in these days, none of us that are GLBTQ or allies can afford not to give even a little more to stop Prop 8. Send emails. Call friends. Join a visibility action group on election day. And above all else, VOTE NO on Prop 8.
Okay. On to clergy leaders who can speak calmly to this issue. I lost calm along time ago.
As a person of faith I believe human beings were made for each other. We need each other, we need to belong and we need to be loved. At the core of our faith we experience God is Love. After 30 years of ministry it is clear to me that we can only accept love when we are loved for who we are. Not only does God delight in who we are but God desires to bless us with loved ones. Marriage Equality is a natural step forward when we appreciate the giftedness of each person. Heterosexuals don’t need to be threatened by gay marriage. The challenges and responsibilities of marriage have nothing to do with people’s sexual orientation. It has everything to do with love and understanding. Love makes a marriage. Love makes a family. – Rev. Steve Harms
Posted in Christian Living and Faith, Marriage, News and Events
Sweet Hope Cookies
October 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
“Even so, as people of Christian faith we must speak up against Prop 8, not because it’s a religious issue, but because as believers, Prop 8, in the very action it seeks, goes against the central message of Jesus’ life and teaching; that there remains no greater command than to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.”
Exactly!! And because these campaigns in California, and Florida, and Arizona are working through churches…be they Mormon, Catholic, or some other denomination…it is imperative for those who are Christian and support full equality for LGBT people to speak out, and vote against these attempts to write discrimination against a segment of the population into the state constitution. These amendments are the stumbling blocks Jesus and later Paul talk about; attempts to keep some people “on the outs”, and they serve to drive a wedge between people of faith who DON’T discriminate and gay and lesbian people who have been poisoned to believe that anyone professing a faith in God must hate them. Not true!! Not true!! Not true!! I have had to undo a lot of damage from years and years of feeling that I was unwanted by God because *the church* didn’t stick up for me. I know better now, and thank God for that, and I encourage all people of any faith to take the risk to say, “Discrimination ain’t right!” Counter their fear with your faith…and know that God is with *all* of us until the end of the age.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Susan–> I really was moved by what the Rector from All Saint’s in Pasadena (the first video) said in terms of this issue as followers of Jesus. I know I’m jaded as it were on this issue being a raging queer and all but it seems so obvious from my perspective that while people can be opposed to homosexuality (calling it sin or just plain icky), it’s a whole other thing to strip away rights from a group of people via a constitutional amendment. I’ve just been blown away by that these past days. So we continue to fight the good fight and hope/pray/work for the best knowing that whether now or at another time in the future, justice and equality will win the day. Gotta tell you though…I wouldn’t mind it happening on Tuesday.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
This is really put together well, Anita. I appreciate all the things you have said and the many ways you have said it; even making a space for others to speak too.
I have had occasion to speak to a few people this week and also in a church setting. the courage to speak out has come from a place in me that has been silent for a very long time. but no more. I do feel we (all) are standing together on this and must go forward, even beyond the election. We have an opportunity to pass on to those who come after a better day, a kinder world. I don’t want to leave them a fight I was reluctant to engage in. this is a now issue and I believe we must keep it a now issue.
Thanks for being someone who makes it easier to stand up.
I appreciate you and the work you do.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Deb–> Isn’t there something incredible in speaking out after being silent for whatever reason? Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ve told D many times that I’m sorry it took something this dramatic to get involved but now that I am I intend to stay involved. I think others like you and I are experiencing the same thing from what I’m hearing in talking with those I’m standing beside on the street corners. So many say, “I’ve never done anything like this before…” And yes Deb, standing together for a better day and a kinder world…the time is well overdue, don’t you think?