From
"The Reporter Forum"
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Proposition 8 would amend our state Constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized, thus eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
Amistad United Church of Christ urges a "no" vote on Proposition 8. We find it incompatible with our faith and our mission as Christians.
Marriage has taken many forms throughout history and across cultures. In an earlier era, it was a property-based relationship with the wife becoming the property of the husband. ("You ... shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or ... slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." - Exodus 20:17)
Marriage in the Bible often involved one man and several women - or, better said, several pubescent girls. Today, in many cultures, marriage is an alliance chosen by the parents of the people getting married. Marriage as a loving, freely-chosen commitment is a fairly recent tradition, by no means universal even in the 21st century. It is an evolving institution.
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ has affirmed equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and declared that the government should not interfere with couples regardless of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of legally recognized marriage.
We at Amistad UCC believe that God smiles on these loving, committed relationships. In recent weeks, we have witnessed the joy surrounding the weddings of loving gay and lesbian couples, many of them together for decades. We have seen families strengthened, civil rights protected and equal rites celebrated.
We urge a no vote on Proposition 8.
Marian
Conning, pastor
Vacaville