The North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, an interfaith organization consisting of religious leaders from across the state, once again has stated its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.The coalition, which will hold a lobby day in the state capitol March 24, was created in 2004 and has more than 200 clergy from across North Carolina in its ranks.
“We are saddened that some of our legislators continue to use the issue of same-sex marriage to try and re-write our state’s constitution and create a hostile environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens in North Carolina,” said Jack McKinney, pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh and co-chair of NCRC4ME’s steering committee.
McKinney added, “Such an amendment would not only deny equal marriage rights, which are already denied to gay North Carolinians, but could also prohibit any recognition of civil unions, domestic partnerships, or similar relationships in the state. The language of the bill is so broad it could prevent private companies from extending domestic partner benefits to their employees.”
Joe Hoffman, senior pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, and a member of People of Faith for Just Relationships, believes all people of faith should take a stand opposing prejudice
“As people of faith, both lay and ordained, we must stand in opposition to any constitutional amendment that codifies discrimination against another human being and respectfully request the General Assembly to refuse to bring to committee or for a vote any amendment that discriminates against another human being simply because they are LGBT,” Hoffman said.
Lorraine Ljunggren, a priest at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh, is afraid that the public has the impression that all people of faith are opposed to equal rights for same-sex couples.
“When people see the Catholic bishops and other religious leaders calling for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage it creates an illusion that this is the position of all clergy in our state,” she said.
Jim Melnyk, also a priest at St. Marks, said many clergy members in the think the amendment is a bad idea. The North Carolina Council of Churches has gone on record as opposing it.
“The Council of Churches may be the broadest Christian coalition in our state, so their opposition says something significant,” Melnyk said.
“Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, therefore we are called to respect the dignity, said the Rev. Wanda Floyd of Durham, co-chair of NCRC4ME’s steering committee.
“As clergy who support the full humanity of our LGBT brothers and sisters, we are proud to be standing on the right side of history today.”
The North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality will join with Equality North Carolina for a lobby day at the state capitol March 24.
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(Source: CTC)