SoCal pastor protests ban on gay marriage - He will not perform any more wedding ceremonies in CA

[Kadie]

SoCal pastor protests ban on gay marriage

Saturday, May 30, 2009


(05-30) 09:13 PDT Pasadena, Calif. (AP) --

The pastor of a San Marino church has said he will not perform any more wedding ceremonies in California until the state's same-sex marriage ban is overturned.

The Rev. Art Cribbs, pastor of the 60-member San Marino Congregational United Church of Christ, says he has been marrying couples for more than 20 years but the wedding ceremony he performed on May 23 would be his last until gay couples are given the same right.

Speaking to reporters and a small crowd of church members Friday, Cribbs said he felt Proposition 8, upheld Tuesday by the state Supreme Court, crossed a boundary between religion and civil law.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/30/state/n091353D11.DTL&tsp=1



more info....

Pastor vows not to perform weddings until Prop. 8 is repealed

snip...
Calling his decision "personal and painful," Cribbs said he understood why some people say same-sex marriage is against their religious beliefs.

But with Proposition 8, he said, "a boundary has been crossed" between religion and civil law.

The state "failed to protect a vulnerable minority from the tyranny of a majority," Cribbs said.

"Our church is involved in justice issues, we are against discrimination," he said. "I personally have known the pain of rejection."

more...
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_12479279?source=rss

[tridim]

1. Now that's the way it's done!

Good work Rev.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

2. Excellent, Reverend

That's called living your faith.:thumbsup:

K&R

[Starry Messenger]

3. 5th rec.

Art Cribbs is a hero. :)

[MineralMan]

4. Excellent. I hope many others will follow his lead.

[Vincardog]

5. I am in Iowa, we just legalized marriage for everyone. That is why I got ordained so I can marry any

one who wants to do it.

[Critters2]

17. What denomination are you? nt

[Vincardog]

27. Universal Life everyone welcome

[Critters2]

28. Oh. Right. nt

[Kadie]

10. Wouldn't that be something.

Hopefully others will follow.

:hi:

[Dappleganger]

6. K&R, good on him.

[babylonsister]

7. Rec'd. It's nice to read a story about a principled person. nt

[wundermaus]

8. Wow! That sends a Powerful Message!

Sure do hope that catches on! Going to twitter that idea right now!

[kestrel91316]

9. My assistant and her fiance were going to get married this year.

They have now decided to get only a civil union until EVERYONE can get a marriage license.

[Cha]

11. Bless his heart for

taking a stand and he's not the one who will come forward in Cal, no doubt.

[SeattleGirl]

12. Good for him!

:applause:

[Kadie]

13. .

:kick:

[Toasterlad]

14. Finally, A Relgious Man Willing to Put His Money Where His Mouth Is

Instead of following the lead of all the other "real christians" whose "support" is offered in silence, this man is actually offering REAL support against bigotry.

Thank you, Rev. Cribbs.

[Critters2]

18. Actually, there are several UCC clergy taking this position.

It's being widely discussed whenever UCC pastors get together. I've considered it, but haven't taken this position because I'm the only pastor for miles around who will do same-sex weddings. These aren't "legal" here, but they are important to the couples. Straight couples can find someone else to do their weddings if I won't. GL couples have nowhere else to turn. So, I speak out loudly, but am still doing weddings, at least for now.

I respect Rev. Cribbs for taking this stand.

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. Me too.

[Control-Z]

15. Thank you for posting.

This is the first time I've smiled all day. It's been a crappy one for me.

[Kadie]

25. .

:hug:

:hi:

[HappyCynic]

16. K&R

[Vidar]

19. Good for Rev. Cribbs.

[Chovexani]

20. Man I hear nothing but good stuff about the UCC

Now that's a church that actually follows Jesus.

[Christa]

22. Good job, Rev. Art Cribbs!

I almost think of converting again :hi:

[Wednesdays]

23. K&R

:kick:

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Reverend Cribs is acting dangerously Christian!

I thank him, and his congregation. They are far from alone among their denomination as many UCC Churches are inclusive and accepting of all people. UCC is also not new to the game, UCC has a long history of standing up for equality and standing against discrimination.

[WillyT]

26. Big K & R !!!

:patriot:

:kick:

[KittyWampus]

29. why are clergy performed marriages considered legally binding anyway? Are they notary publics?

With seperation of church and state, I just don't understand why the clergy's religious ceremony has any legal standing in a civil sense.

Edit- or maybe they aren't?