Religion, SF, and Other Speculative Fictions.


Mind on Fire random header image
← →

Spark: Denominations and Gay Marriage.

Posted by John on June 23rd, 2008 at 5:56 pm · 8 Comments

The LA Times has this handy guide to the various attitudes towards gay marriage from religious denominations.  It should come as no surprise that the Mormon and Catholic churches condemn gay marriages, and that the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalists support them.  In fact, both the Mormons and Catholics will be using their $$$ and organizational muscle to push for an amendment prohibiting gay marriage in California.  Expect to see some powerful advocacy from your ex-Mormon and ex-Catholic hosts at Mind on Fire.

Tags: Activism · Church and State · Current Events · Gay Rights and Queer Issues · Politics

8 responses so far ↓

  • 1 wren // Jun 23, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    When was the last time this was put before voters in CA? It feels like it’s becoming rapidly unpopular to oppose gay marriage and people’s attitudes are changing more quickly. Then again, I’m living in an urban gayborhood so maybe it’s wishful thinking.

  • 2 Isaac // Jun 23, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Very interesting, thought I have to say that I am pretty offended that Christian denominations are highly separated and others, such as Islam, get broad swipes with some occasional vague nod to the fact that there might be different sects.

  • 3 Ayla // Jun 23, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    I’m bummed, I was really hoping the LDS church would sit out on this round *sigh*

  • 4 Antonio // Jun 24, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Should gays be issued library cards?! As a library school student this is, of course, a very pressing and controversial issue… http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nations_gays_demand_right_to

  • 5 xJane // Jun 24, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Isaac: that thought occurred to me, too, while reading the “Jewish” section. There are some forms of Judaism (insert monotheist denomination, however, as this is true for all of them) that abhor homosexuality and other forms that are perfectly okay with it. Obviously, though, Christianity is the One True Faith (can I get an “Amen!”?).

    Antonio: AHAHAHAHAHHA! Everyone, go read that, now! The Onion does it again :)

  • 6 John // Jun 24, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    Good point, Isaac, and one that needs to be made. I thought about being offended when I first encountered it as well, but as someone who regularly writes about religion in ways that continually gloss over important truths and leave groups out, I had some sympathy for religion writers with limited space and time in which to convey basic information. :P

    That said, there are definitely biases. In California, all Muslims, of every stripe, make up less than one percent of California’s population, so I can understand why they might gloss over that. But why include the UU position (0.05% of state population, though politically vocal).

    Here’s a version that Amy pointed out to me; it has links for further research.

  • 7 alicia // Jun 26, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    It is sad that Christian groups, that claim to be the true and unquestionable gospel of Jesus Christ, are so exclusionary. They reject the “sinners” or anyone that doesn’t conform to the social status quo, leaving room for only themselves to feel welcomed and loved by a congregation let alone a Savior within a meeting house, a temple, a wednesday evening activity, etc. While i can accept that God would have order and obedience to principles that would elevate and edify the human race, how do the Christian faiths so easily forget that no matter what our social, economic, theological status, we are all God’s Children?

  • 8 Mark // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:09 am

    It is interesting how fearful the Mormon and Catholic church are of sexuality and their failure to acknowledge that their faith is about love not whom one has sex with.

Leave a Comment