Clergy Sign On To Gay Marriage in Marylan

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/02/020905mdMarr.htm

While the Roman Catholic Church and an assorted group of evangelicals press for a constitutional amendment in Maryland to ban gay marriage a growing number of clergy are supporting gay couples.

This week more 70 clergy members signed a document supporting same-sex civil marriages.

"The institution of marriage is not under attack," said Rev. Andrew Foster Connors, who leads Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. "If anything needs defending in the state of Maryland, it is the gay and lesbian couples who ... deserve the protection of civil marriage."

[stepnw1f]

1. Sickos...

Do something useful for God's sake.

[wolfgirl]

2. Hooray for these clergy members!

They understand that same-sex civil marriages hurt no one!

[Ian David]

3. "Statement on Equal Access to Marriage by Christian Clergy of Maryland

ay Marriage Debate Rages On In Maryland

Feb 8, 2005 5:31 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore, MD (CBS) The same-sex union debate rages on in Maryland with a group of Christian clergy rallying on the side of gay couples.

At a press conference today held at the Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, more than 60 Christian clergy from across Maryland released a statement asking for equal access to marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

The religious leaders are in favor of separation of church and state.

They also challenge the use of selective biblical and theological interpretations as a basis for creating social policy that denies gay and lesbian citizens full access to their rights. The clergy are calling on elected officials not to use such religious doctrine to set the public agenda.

More:
http://wjz.com/localstories/local_story_039173319.html

Video
Gay Marriage Debate Continues In MD--Pat Warren Reports



Virginia Lawmakers Vote Decisively to Defend Marriage

By Jenni Parker
February 8, 2005

(AgapePress) - Pro-family groups are commending the Virginia legislature for its approval of a constitutional amendment to uphold the traditional definition of marriage. The Senate passed a marriage amendment Monday by a vote of 30-10, and yesterday the Virginia House of Delegates also supported the measure in a vote of 78-18.
<snip>

Associated Press reports that more than 70 Christian clergy gathered at a Baltimore church recently to sign a document in support of homosexual civil marriages. The ministers said church leaders who oppose same-sex marriage arrogantly claim to represent all Christians, but they came to offer their signatures as proof that this is not the case.

The ministers lined up to sign a large poster board "Statement on Equal Access to Marriage by Christian Clergy of Maryland." The document expressed alarm at what it termed the "inflammatory, misleading, and discriminatory rhetoric of some Christian ministers who would have their voice be perceived as speaking for all Christians."

Pro-biblical marriage Christians in Virginia, at least, have the support of advocates like CWA, both in the state and beyond. And CWA's Virginia state director believes the effort to educate and motivate citizens in favor of a state marriage amendment will also be successful. Meanwhile, pro-marriage Virginians also appear to have the staunch support of the majority of their legislators.

More:
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/92005a.asp


See also:

Md. Ministers Call For Equal Access For Gays
WBAL Channel.com, MD - Feb 8, 2005
BALTIMORE -- A group of Maryland ministers called for equal access when it comes to gay marriage. The group of religious leaders ...
http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4177483/detail.html

More Than 70 Clergy Support Same-Sex Unions
WBAL Channel.com, MD - 11 hours ago
BALTIMORE -- More than 70 clergy members signed a document Tuesday supporting same-sex civil marriages, saying a small group of ministers who oppose the unions ...
http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/4179112/detail.html

Workers World March 25, 2004: Same-sex couples battle for right to ...
... Mark Reyes said in a March 13 statement, "As you know, last week ... insisting that the state recognize their right to equal access to civil marriage by issuing ...
www.workers.org/ww/2004/rights0325.php

[arwalden]

4. This Is Fantastic!! Hooray For Them!! We Need More Like 'Em!!

Way to go Reverend Connors!! A big tip of the hat and a pat on your back! THANK YOU!! Thank you very much!

Meanwhile...

>> the Roman Catholic Church and an assorted group of evangelicals press for a constitutional amendment in Maryland to ban gay marriage a growing number of clergy are supporting gay couples. <<

I still fail to understand the fetish the Roman Catholic Church has with homosex. What is WRONG with them? Why all the hatred? Why to they insist on pressing for policies and LAWS to make homosexuals second-class citizens and to deny them equality in protection, benefits and stature.

"Gee, Allen... why do you have such a personal problem with the Roman Catholic Church?" --- Well, there's one reason right there.