US religious leaders issue warning on impact of same-sex marriage
January 12, 2012
Four Catholic bishops are among the 39 American religious leaders who have joined in a public statement cautioning against the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
“Altering the civil definition of ‘marriage’ does not change one law, but hundreds, even thousands, at once,” notes the statement released by the religious leaders on January 12. The statement warns that legal acceptance of same-sex unions will quickly lead to pressures on, and lawsuits against, religious bodies. “Even where religious people and groups succeed in avoiding civil liability in cases like these,” the statement predicts, “they would face other government sanctions--the targeted withdrawal of government cooperation, grants or other benefits."
The statement is signed by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, the president of the US bishops’ conference; and by Bishops Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, William Lori of Bridgeport, and Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne—all chairmen of episcopal committees involved with marriage and religious freedom. Also signing the statement were leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Assemblies of God, the Salvation Army, and the National Association of Evangelicals, along with representatives of Orthodox Judaism.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: jeremiahjj -
Jan. 13, 2012 5:48 PM ET USA
Advocates of same-sex marriages are agenda-driven and other problems are of no consequence to them. The White House supports this agenda, as do the agencies appointed, manipulated or controlled by the White House, and things are not likely to change until there is a change in the administration.
