Praise for the Non-H8ers

[Sandy_Fox]

Few people have more scorn than I do for the orgainized religions that support Propositions 2 (FL), 8 (CA) and 102 (AZ).

That is why I think the ones who actively oppose hateful and bigoted propositions should be acknowleged:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008
PRESS CONTACTS:
Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director
California Council of Churches
California Church IMPACT
916.508.7797
rick@calchurches.org
Eric Alan Isaacson
Attorney for Petitioners
619.338.4519
EricI@csgrr.com


RELIGIOUS LEADERS, FAITH ORGANIZATIONS FILE LAWSUIT TO INVALIDATE PROP 8

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the California Council of Churches and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members filed a petition with the California Supreme Court asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8. The petition argues that Proposition 8 poses a severe threat to the guarantee of equal protection for all and was not enacted through the constitutionally required process for such a dramatic change to the California Constitution.

The petition is filed on behalf of the California Council of Churches, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, two Episcopal Bishops (of California and Los Angeles), the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, and the Northern and Southern California Nevada Conferences of the United Church of Christ. The groups are represented by Eric Isaacson, based in San Diego, and by Jon B. Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Hancock, LLP, based in Oakland.

“Proposition 8 poses a grave threat to religious freedom,” said Rev. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director of the California Council of Churches. “If the Court permits gay men and lesbians to be deprived of equal protection by a simple majority vote, religious minorities could be denied equal protection as well—a terrible irony in a nation founded by people who emigrated to escape religious persecution. If the Court permits Proposition 8 to take effect, religious discrimination similarly could be written into California's Constitution.”

“The United Church of Christ is honored to join other religious bodies in this challenge to Proposition 8,” said the Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. “We believe our communities are strengthened and our religious freedoms protected by ensuring that the principle of equal protection applies to all Californians. Religious groups know from long experience the dangers posed by placing unchecked power in the hands of temporary majorities.”

 

[Vermilion]

Well, that gives you a little faith, doesn't it?

 

[rgraham666]

Sweet.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

NOTE TO READERS:

ROB is in the grips of PHILOSO-PAUSE.

 

[Sandy_Fox]

And More:

California Faith for Equality

As people of faith, many of us are called to act for justice. To heal the rift between faith communities and lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, we are driven to engage our congregations and people of faith in the movement for LGBT equality and to safeguard religious freedom.

Clergy and lay leaders from a diversity of religious traditions are uniting in California Faith for Equality, a statewide network of congregations and people of faith committed to equality.

The California Faith for Equality coalition helps faith leaders and communities, some of whom may not have the support of their denominational bodies, to become effectively engaged in the struggle for equality, while also helping secular LGBT leadership connect with these faith communities.

http://www.cafaithforequality.org/clergy.html

 

[Sandy_Fox]

And one more:

Where's the Episcopal Church on this issue?

General Convention 2006 in Columbus passed Resolution A095 that said, "Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the Episcopal Church's historical support of gay and lesbian persons as children of God and entitled to full civil rights; and be it further Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the 71st General Convention's action calling upon municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protection such as: bereavement and family leave policies; health benefits; pension benefits; real-estate transfer tax benefits; and commitments to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples and be it further Resolved, That the 75th General Convention oppose any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions. After the decision affirming marriage equality under the state constitution, Bishop Marc Andrus of the Diocese of California called on his diocese to "walk a journey" that included "combating a ballot initiative this November that will attempt to take away the rights recently recognized by the California Supreme Court."

 

[Stella_Omega]

Check out this gorgeous NOH8 graphic. I want it on a tshirt!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The Episcopal Church is fracturing over its official policies about Gays. Several diocese have already seceded from the church.

 

[impressive]

Check out this gorgeous NOH8 graphic. I want it on a tshirt!

Just for you (and the rest of the Internet) ...

http://www.cafepress.com/comingtogether.331339486