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Some ministers to preach for, some against gay marriage proposal
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NAPLES — When the Rev. Ronald Patterson takes the pulpit at the Naples United Church of Christ on Sunday, he’ll read a scripture passage that comes around only once every three years.
The text is an oft-repeated verse from Matthew in which Jesus tells his questioners to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. It’s long been used to describe the relationship between church and state. Patterson said the text could not have been more appropriate.
That’s because Patterson, like scores of other clergy around the state, will talk Sunday about Amendment 2, a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage exclusively as the union between a man and a woman.
Combatants in the battle take to their congregations this weekend as both camps try to convince members to support or oppose the measure.
A group led by Yes2Marriage supports the proposal, saying same-sex marriage is detrimental to children. The group’s supporters include the Florida Catholic Conference and the Florida Baptist Convention.
“Our public policy should promote healthy and strong marriages, rather than seek to create new definitions of marriage that undermine the institution’s role and which are not in the best interest of children,” the group’s mission statement reads.
Patterson and other critics say such a mandate has no place in Florida’s constitution. Further, they contend the provision would cause unintended harm to senior citizens, unmarried couples and others. In essence, it creates two categories of citizens.
“Putting in the constitution one view of marriage is something I have difficulty with,” Patterson said. “Within my congregation there are a variety of view. ... Marriage, in my mind, is a religious and spiritual issue.”
On Thursday, Florida Clergy for Fairness, a statewide coalition, asked ministers to bring up the issue Sunday. The proposal will face voters Nov. 4.
“Is it just to place the civil rights of same-sex couples in jeopardy?” asked Rabbi Jack Romberg of Temple Israel in Tallahassee. “Is it (right) to deny health insurance and visitation rights, not to mention the simple courtesies of human decency? I think not.”
Yes2Marriage is also asking its backers to spread the word Sunday.
Further, the group plans to hold rallies including an Orlando event Monday to garner support. They need 60 percent of voters to pass the measure and have yet to meet that threshold, polls show.
The group is scheduled to kick off an advertising campaign at a Tallahassee press conference Friday. Supporters say the measure is focused and will not have a ripple effect.
“Opponents have said this will affect senior citizens and others, the Florida Supreme Court says it won’t,” said Michael McVety, an Amendment 2 backer and campaign organizer from Fort Myers.
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Some of our local churches have gone so far as to tell their "faithful" to vote for McCain because of abortion and gay rights. Makes you feel good knowing there is that seperation of church and state thing. Any church lobbying for political issues should lose any govt. benefits.
#1 Posted by Trojanz33 on October 16, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now if the church were to say, oh I don't know, how about lets back Obama because he's for killing baby's or against amendment 2 would you feel the same way????? Probably not. Sounds like a politically motivated blog AGAIN. Boring.
#2 Posted by fishman on October 16, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you don't want to marry a gay person don't!
#3 Posted by dooley on October 17, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ya know... if the "institution" of marriage was really that sacred, these same ministers would be condemning their droves of divorced parishioners instead of supporting this truly unnecessary legislation.
How about it out there... who's for an amendment prohibiting divorce? It used to work in Italy and Ireland until the liberals took over. That would do more toward strengthening marriage than this joke of a piece of excrement (thank you, NDN) legislation.
#4 Posted by AARGGHHH on October 17, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whatever your views on this subject, it does not belong in the Florida Constitution.
#5 Posted by teachercreature on October 17, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank God for courageous ministers like Rev. Patterson who speak and preach in the true spirit of Jesus (and Buddha and Gandhi). Those who preach in support of Amendment 2, with their intolerance and ignorance, give Christianity a bad name.
#6 Posted by Zoey on October 17, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
#6 AARGGHHH (appropriate name BTW) - divorce was illegal in Ireland until the mid 90's I believe because the State wouldn't stand up to the church. There were so many examples of battered wives pleading with their parish priests for help and all they were offered was essentially 'stay with your man'. Is it a coincidence that Ireland is among the top economies in Europe and the world since they threw off the cloying control of the Catholic church?
#7 Posted by progressivedem on October 17, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Church exists to proclaim what God has to say on any given subject. The source of that proclamation is found in the Holy Scriptures also known as "The Bible". "The Bible" talks to a great extent about homosexuality. "The Bible" tells us that the "gay" lifestyle is something that God hates. Now God loves people, so he loves those people that are into this "gay" lifestyle, but He does not approve of the way they live their lives. God also does not approve of the killing of a born or an unborn person! A practice we call euthenasia, and abortion. So...for the Church to speak out against these two sins is the right and proper thing to do, because God himself speaks out against them. Whether you like it or not, "The Biblical" definition of marriage is the union between one man and one woman. There is no other definition found in "The Bible". So... The resposibility of the Church is to proclaim what "The Bible" has to say on these matters. By the way, God hates divorce as well, because He knows the destruction divorce causes in the lives of people, and familys. The second paragraph of this article talks about a verse found in the book of Matthew. This verse has been misconstrued by this article to somehow indicate a seperation of church and state. If you read the whole chapter, you will find that it is actually talking about giving to God, and Paying taxes to Caeser, or in today's language the IRS.
#8 Posted by ranger11 on October 17, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gay marriage = gay divorce! If homosexuals want to get married, let them. Let them experience the nastiness and ugliness of divorce. After all, isn't that what marriage is all about? A guarantee that if you split up you can at least keep the plasma tv. LOL!!!!
#9 Posted by belern on October 17, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Re;#8...Zoey, Jesus is the one who declared that Homosexuality is a sin and an abomination before God. Jesus could do this because he was and is God in the flesh! Jesus is not just a good man, or a good teacher, but he is God in the flesh, unlike Buddha and Gandhi who were just men like you and me. The definition of a "Christian" is one who follows, worhips, and subscribes to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Those who follow Buddha, are Buddhists, not christians. Followers of Jesus Christ subscribe to those teachings that are found in "The Bible". If for whatever reason you don't believe "The Bible" or choose not to follow "The Bible" It would be hard to proclaim that you are a Christian. Many people claim to be Christians because they live in a "Christian" nation. Unfortunatly they fail to have a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
#10 Posted by ranger11 on October 17, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey ranger11.. got a secret for you.. ready.. there is no god.
Have a wonderful day!
#11 Posted by haroldzimmermanhq on October 17, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ranger, I don't think the Bible talks to 'a great extent' about homosexuality but I know there are 3000 verses about peace in it. Why don't we focus on that? Isn't there also a positive word or two about slavery in the great book? The written word of various scribes over a 500 year period or so is not a blueprint for modern man. We are governed by the rule of law - man's law. I understand the issue is losing hence the winding-up of the religious .........
#12 Posted by progressivedem on October 17, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ranger11--There's obviously no discussing issues with someone as blinded and bamboozled by fairytales as you. I have a feeling that with every topic you discuss, you immediately retreat to your fallback position of claiming to know what God wants. I'm sure it is pleasant for you not to have to think, but you should have the decency not to force your silly notions on others who simply want to love each other and live and let live. To be honest, ranger, you should be ashamed of yourself.
#13 Posted by Zoey on October 17, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
as far as I'm concerned gays should have the same right to be miserable as the rest of us.
#14 Posted by GeorgeGlass on October 17, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jay Leno Said it best:
"Let them marry so they can be as miserable as the rest of us are"
#15 Posted by Naplestango on October 18, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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