United In Hate

I always thought Jesus was love; God was love. That religion and religious leaders were working toward making the world a better place. So, imagine my surprise [sarcasm] to find that leaders from some of the largest religious communities in the United States have come together to express their commitment to protect of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. 

You know, because it's been that way since time began and it's never ever changed in any way shape or form, and that's the way God wants it, dammit!

In an open letter, entitled “The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment,” [HERE] leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Sikh communities have affirmed the importance of preserving marriage’s unique meaning.

Okay, but, um, why? See, they say the law of marriage--and forgive my ignorance, for I had no idea marriage was a law, and if it is, why aren't all those divorced people being arrested for breaking it?--is not about imposing the religion of anyone, but about "protecting the common good of everyone,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York--who is a longtime ISBL Asshat.

Dolan: “People of any faith or no faith at all can recognize that when the law defines marriage as between one man and one woman, it legally binds a mother and a father to each other and their children, reinforcing the foundational cell of human society.”

Right Timmy, right. I'm still waiting for someone...Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?....to explain to me how a Carlos and Bob "I do" will affect, or harm, or ruin, the sanctity of a so-called traditional marriage? Timmy? Father Asshat? Do you have the answer?

::::crickets::::

Naturally, these religious wingnuts released their letter on the very morning that oral arguments in the Prop H8 case are set to begin, because it's all about hate, lest anyone think otherwise, If these religious leaders really had the notion to protect marriage, they might work harder toward keeping people married, than keeping people from getting married.

Full text of the letter and signers follows:

The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment

Dear Friends,
Marriage is the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family. Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of all of society, not just religious communities.
As religious leaders across different faith communities, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We honor the unique love between husbands and wives; the indispensible place of fathers and mothers; and the corresponding rights and dignity of all children.
Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society in innumerable ways. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is not a special or limited interest but serves the good of all. Therefore, we invite and encourage all people, both within and beyond our faith communities, to stand with us in promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Sincerely yours,

Leith Anderson
President
National Association of Evangelicals


Dr. Thomas E. Armiger
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon
Dr. Jerry G. Pence
The Board of General Superintendents
The Wesleyan Church


Dr. Gary M. Benedict
President
The Christian and Missionary Alliance


Glenn C. Burris Jr.
President
The Foursquare Church


Bishop H. David Burton
Presiding Bishop
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr.
Presiding Bishop
International Pentecostal Holiness Church Ministries


Nathan Diament
Director, Institute for Public Affairs
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America


Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


The Most Rev. Robert Duncan
Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America
Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh


Rev. Jim Eschenbrenner
Executive Pastor
Christian Union


Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Gammon
Conference Minister
Conservative Congregational Conference


Rev. Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod


John Hopler
Director
Great Commission Churches


Dr. Clyde M. Hughes
Bishop
International Pentecostal Church of Christ


Ken Hunn
Executive Director
The Brethren Church


Bishop Harry Jackson
Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church
Bishop, Fellowship of International Churches


The Most Blessed Jonah
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Orthodox Church in America


Dr. Richard Land
President
Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission


Rev. Frederick J. Moury Jr.
National Conference Chair
Evangelical Congregational Church


Dr. James Murray
Interim Executive Director
General Association of General Baptists


Rev. Samuel Rodriguez
President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference


Manmohan Singh
Secretary General
World Sikh Council – America Region


The Rev. Paull E. Spring
Bishop
North American Lutheran Church


Dr. Joseph Tkach
President
Grace Communion International


Rev. Phil Whipple
Bishop
Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA


Dr. George O. Wood
General Superintendent
Assemblies of God