From the Desk of Carol Soelberg:
Today, we want to make sure that all have seen the extremely important letter penned by religious leaders from
The letter is entitled: "Marriage and Religious Freedoms: Fundamental Goods that Stand or Fall Together." It was released to the general public on January 12, 2012.
In the letter, religious leaders point out the conflicts and the serious consequences of redefining marriage that will "arise in a broad range of legal contexts,
because altering the civil definition of 'marriage' does not change one law, but hundreds, even thousands, at once. By a single stroke, every law where rights depend
on marital status--such as employment discrimination, employment benefits, adoption, education, healthcare, elder care, housing, property,
and taxation--will change so that same-sex sexual relationships must be treated as if they were marriage. That requirement, in turn, will apply to religious people
and groups in the ordinary course of their many private or public occupations and ministries--including running schools, hospitals, nursing homes and
other housing facilities, providing adoption and counseling services, and many others."
They also offer this grim explanation and warning:
"In short, the refusal of these religious organizations to treat a same-sex sexual relationship as if it were a marriage marked them and their
members as bigots, subjecting them to the full arsenal of government punishments and pressures reserved for racists."
The leaders state clearly that redefining marriage has significant consequences for religious liberty and if we wish to protect religious freedom we
must preserve the traditional definition of marriage.
Read the entire text of the letter and see its signatories here.
1. Make sure your pastor or faith leader is aware of this letter - hand deliver it if necessary - and encourage them to share it with their congregation.
2. Share the contents and directives contained in the letter with your family and friends.
3. Teach children the importance of marriage and encourage unmarried young adults to value, seek and commit to marriage.
4. Make your marriage a priority. Model successful marriage in your home and in your community.
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