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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
The Riverside Church in the City of New York stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers throughout the United States who suffer from social and legal discrimination based upon their sexual identity. Our congregation is energized in its resolve to speak boldly on behalf of God's love and justice for all couples who wish to live in covenant love with one another and share their lives. The recent California vote for Proposition 8 that passed with 52% of the ballots defines marriage as "only between one man and one woman." The Riverside Church reaffirms its commitment as stated in The Riverside Church Statement in Support of Same-Gender Civil Marriage:
Recent circumstances leading to calls for a Constitutional amendment to define marriage to exist solely between a man and a woman, and ultimately ban any legal recognition of same-sex unions, compels The Riverside Church of New York City to raise its voice in unity with those who cherish the principles of freedom, equality, and fairness for all. In so doing, we stand firm in our call for a more just and humane society-one where basic civil rights, and the right to simply be, are never denied to any citizen of this land .
We now continue in this tradition of progressive activism by reaffirming our commitment to pursue an open and candid conversation to forge greater understanding of such issues as family values, sexual identity, and biblical interpretations of human relations. Further, in an attempt to embrace all committed-relationships, the Church will take the bold action of no longer distinguishing between same-sex unions and (heterosexual) marriages. All ceremonies among two committed, loving adults at The Riverside Church will be recognized as marriages . . .
We further commit our resolve to support efforts leading to the development of social policies and laws that enable same-gender loving couple's access to the privileges, legal protections, and benefits of civil marriage.
My leadership at The Riverside Church will continue to advocate these same principles, and I am committed to speaking out on issues of justice and equality with respect to my Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer sisters and brothers. Please accept this letter of support as another gesture of this commitment. I call upon all people of good will to work together to craft public policies and foster communal practices that will usher in the Beloved Community of which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke so often. In this Beloved Community, all God's children can have their life-giving, loving covenants affirmed.
Sincerely,
The Reverend Brad R. Braxton, Ph.D. Senior Minister The Riverside Church in the City of New York
10 Comments:
What a wonderful letter. People like Tony Perkins et al., should read this gentleman's warm words and see what it's like to really embrace the uncommon virtues of Jesus.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12)
posted by Chris L., at
11/21/2008 3:39 PM
I expect this and feel it is extremely sad that people award this type of behavior with brownie points. This is the way it should be from anyone speaking from the pulpit. It is refreshing but i feel as if i should not have to be the one who is grateful for others doing the right thing. Particularly religious people. Has it come to the point where we are surprised by loving gestures of thos that profess to be gods spokesperson? I have mixed feelings. Frankly i do not care what religious organizations do or think. I want equality to marry and have it called that at every city and town hall.
posted by mail, at
11/21/2008 3:59 PM
When religion behaves worse than the average man, it should be condemned.
When religion behaves only as good as the average man, it should be ignored.
When religion behaves better than the average man, it should be celebrated.
posted by Chris L., at
11/22/2008 2:26 PM
Riverside is a United Church of Christ Congregation.
This letter is representative of the denomination as a whole, in fact the national church had a press release saying pretty much the same thing only it was even more strongly worded in its support for civil and religious marriage equality for gay couples.
To give credit where it's due, Zeke is correct on that. The United Church of Christ (including their affiliated Trinity Church with that Rev. Wright in Chicago) have been pretty good with defending same-sex rights.
posted by Joey7777, at
11/24/2008 1:10 AM
Hear are some related press releases from the United Church of Christ:
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