Religious Case for Marriage Equality

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T H E

R E L I G I O U S

C A S E

F O R

MARRIAGE EQUALITY EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW

The Religious Case for

MARRIAGE EQUALITY What Is Marriage Equality? Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing civil marriage equality is called the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The Act would guarantee that all civil marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the married couples and their children. Same-sex parties to a marriage and their children will be treated under Illinois law as if federal law recognized marriages of same-sex couples in the same way that it recognizes marriages of opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act respects the guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, allowing free exercise of religion and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference.

Why Is Marriage Important? Gay and lesbian individuals want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Governments use the institution of marriage to recognize and protect family units. There are 1,138 federal rights that are inherent in marriage and denied to same-sex couples who cannot wed. In addition, the state of Illinois affords 648 protections to married couples and their families. Some of these rights include: UÊÊ Ã« Ì> ÊÛ Ã Ì>Ì ÊÀ } Ìà UÊÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Ê«ÕÌÊÌ iÊi Ì ÀiÊv> Þ]Ê V Õ` }Ê>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ> `Ê ÃÉ iÀÊV `Ài ]Ê Ê iÊ i` V> Ê> `É ÀÊ viÊ ÃÕÀ> ViÊ« > UÊÊ ÕÌ >Ì VÊ iÀ Ì> Vi]ÊiÛi ÊÜ Ì ÕÌÊ>ÊÜ UÊÊ*À Û i}iÊvÀ ÊÌiÃÌ vÞ }Ê>}> ÃÌÊ>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ ÊV ÕÀÌ UÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Ê > iÊ i` V> Ê`iV à ÃÊv ÀÊ>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ Ê> Êi iÀ}i VÞ UÊÊ, } ÌÊÌ Ê ÌÊ«>Ài Ì }]Ê>` «Ì ]Êv ÃÌiÀÊV>Ài]Ê> `ÊÛ Ã Ì>Ì Ê vÊV `Ài UÊÊ, } ÌÊÌ ÊÌ> iÊÕ «> `Ê i>ÛiÊvÀ ÊÜ À ÊÌ ÊV>ÀiÊv ÀÊ>Êà V Ê«>ÀÌ iÀ UÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Êw iÊ ÌÊÌ>ÝÊÀiÌÕÀ ÃÊ> `ÊÕÃiÊÌ>ÝÊLi iwÌÃÊv ÀÊ >ÀÀ i`ÊV Õ« iÃ

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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SEEKING the TRUTH Debunking Common Myths

Myth: If the marriage equality bill is legalized, religious institutions will be forced to marry gay and lesbian couples and recognize those unions. False. The marriage equality bill would legalizes only civil marriage for same-sex couples. The ability for any religious institution to recognize or perform any marriage remains unchanged. Some clergy refuse to marry interfaith couples while other clergy refuse to marry a couple if one member has been divorced. No religious institution will ever be forced to marry same-sex couples or recognize same-sex couples within its belief system. Because the United States Constitution guarantees these religious freedoms, no court decision or legislative mandate can change these fundamental tenets. Myth: Illinois already has civil unions, and that law provides the same rights as marriage. False. A civil union is not equal to a marriages. The institution of marriage has a long legal and cultural history, so employers, businesses, and other societal actors know how to treat married couples. This is not the case for civil union couples. Equality Illinois has documented numerous instances where private institutions, such as businesses, have not recognized civil unions as equal to marriage for the purpose of «À Û ` }ÊLi iwÌÃ°Ê iV>ÕÃiÊ vÊÌ iÊV vÕÃ Ê ÛiÀÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÌÕÃÊ> `ÊÀ } ÌÃÊ vÊV Û ÊÕ ÊV Õ« iÃ]ÊÌ iÞÊ>ÀiÊ constantly unsure of how they will be treated by different people around the state. The bottom line is that the separation of civil unions and marriage into two separate institutions implies that the love and commitment same-sex couples share is less valid than that of opposite-sex couples who have the option to marry. Myth: >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊV > }iÃÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}i° False.Ê Ü }ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊÌ Ê}iÌÊ >ÀÀ i`Ê` iÃÊ ÌÊV > }iÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}i°Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ will remain an institution entered into by two people who love each other and seek to make a lifetime commitment to each other and protect their families.

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Myth: Marriage is meant for couples that can have children, and same-sex couples cannot do this. False. For some couples, marriage is about parenting, and for some it is not. Many couples, oppositesex and same-sex, do not intend to ever have children, or meet and marry later in life but still seek to make a lifetime commitment through marriage. On the other hand, one in four same-sex couples are raising children. The reasons couples would like to be married are as varied for same-sex couples as they are for opposite-sex couples. For some the reasons may include children, and for others they may not. Myth: Marriages between gays and lesbians have a negative effect on children. False. Excluding same-sex couples from marriage harms children by denying them and their families the rights, protection, and sense of legitimacy that come with legal marriage. Studies consistently show that children of gay and lesbian couples are equally as well adjusted as those of opposite-sex couples. In fact, > Ê > ÀÊV `ÊÜi v>ÀiÊiÝ«iÀÌÃ]Ê V Õ` }ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê V>`i ÞÊ vÊ*i` >ÌÀ VÃ]ÊÌ iÊ >Ì > Ê Ãà V >Ì Ê vÊ- V > Ê7 À iÀÃ]ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê*ÃÞV >ÌÀ VÊ Ãà V >Ì ]Ê> `ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê*ÃÞV } V> Ê Ãà V >Ì ]Ê ÃÕ«« ÀÌÊ Ì iÊ vÀii` Ê vÊ Ã> i ÃiÝÊ V Õ« iÃÊ Ì Ê >ÀÀÞÊ LiV>ÕÃiÊ > Ê v> iÃÊ Li iwÌÊ vÀ Ê Ì iÊ «À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ and security that marriage brings. Millions of children are currently being raised by same-sex couples, > `ÊÌ iÊ ÞÊÜ>ÞÊÌ Êi ÃÕÀiÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÃiÊV `Ài Ê >ÛiÊÌ iÊÃ> iÊÀ } ÌÃ]ÊLi iwÌÃ]Ê> `Ê«À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ>ÃÊÌ i ÀÊ neighbors and classmates is to allow their parents to marry. Myth: The legalization of marriage equality will force children to learn about same-sex couples in school. False. The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act does not compel any changes to school programs. Despite the same fear tactics used in every state with marriage equality, no state that has legalized marriage equality has had same-sex marriage formalized into the public school educational curriculum. Myth: Marriage is a historical institution that has remained unchanged. False. Marriage has evolved throughout history to meet the needs of our society. At various points in the past it was common to have arranged marriages, women were thought of as inferior to their husbands, Ì iÊÜ > ½ÃÊv> ÞÊ >`ÊÌ Ê«>ÞÊ>Ê` ÜÀÞ]Ê> `ÊwÀÃÌÊV Õà ÃÊ vÌi Ê} ÌÊ >ÀÀ i`°Ê- iÊ L V> Ê iÀ iÃÊ >`Ê Õ Ì « iÊÜ ÛiÃÆÊ Ì iÀÃÊ >`ÊV `Ài ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ i ÀÊ`>Õ} ÌiÀðÊ1 Ì Ê£ ÈÇ]ÊÃÌ>ÌiÃÊ`iw i`Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ>ÃÊ>ÊÕ Ê limited to people of the same race. During the decades when the majority of Americans supported bans on interracial marriage, proponents of the ban called marriage between a man and woman of different À>ViÃÊºÕ >ÌÕÀ> ]Ê> Ì Ài } ÕÃ]»Ê> `ÊV > i`ÊÌ >ÌÊ ÕÀÊà V iÌÞÊÜ Õ `ÊLiʺiÀ `i`»Ê vÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ marriage was altered. Today, these arguments against interracial marriage seem dated and bigoted, but the same language is being used to attack equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. Ending race discrimination and gender discrimination in marriage did not change the concept of marriage as the building block of stable relationships and strong families, and neither would allowing gay people to marry. This change would merely allow couples already committed to each other to take on the legal responsibilities of civil marriage.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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PURSUING JUSTICE Ten Reasons Religious Leaders Support Marriage Equality

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Supporting civil marriage equality shows that you respect and value the inherent

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Marriage is not just a religious institution; it also carries significant civil and

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The stability, security, and rights that a civil marriage brings are beneficial for all

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Places of worship will always have the freedom to decide whether to perform

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worth and dignity of all people, a consistent value in all religious traditions.

legal values.

families and children.

or recognize any marriage, just as they already do. The most fundamental human need is the supportive love of other human beings. The loss of gay and lesbian believers in religious communities has been tragic. Diversity of families enriches religious lives and communities. Full equality for LGBT people is good for families, marriage, and healthy decision making. Scriptural interpretation used to validate racism and sexism has been discarded, and we should just as eagerly discard scriptural interpretation that marginalizes others.

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Discrimination is wrong, no matter who the victim is.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

LIGHT UNTO THE NATION National Religious Leaders Supporting Marriage Equality BAPTIST

UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ?“>Â˜ĂŠ Âœ>ĂŒiĂƒ UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â“ÂœĂ€i UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒiĂŠ ˆVŽ“>˜ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ÂœLÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•Â˜Â˜] Executive Director of the Association of

7iÂ?Vœ“ˆ˜}ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ vwĂ€Â“ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ >ÂŤĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŒĂƒĂŠ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒiĂ›iĂŠ*>Ă€iÂ?Â?ˆ] Executive Director of Other Sheep,

Evangelical

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ >˜VÞÊ*iĂŒĂŒĂž UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ iÂ˜Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŠ7ˆÂ?iĂž]ĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ

CATHOLIC

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ-ÂˆĂ€°ĂŠ i>˜˜ˆ˜iĂŠ Ă€>“ˆVÂŽ] co-founder of New Ways

Ministries, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂƒiÂŤÂ…ĂŠ*>Â?>VÂˆÂœĂƒ] Catholics for Equality, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ Ă•}iÂ˜ĂŒ] co-founder of New Ways Ministries, Roman

CHRISTIAN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆVĂŠ*°ĂŠ ii]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ-ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆ>Â˜ĂŠ

Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀÀÞÊ ÀՓwiÂ?`] founding member of Maryland

Black Family Alliance

COLLEGIATE

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >VÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠExecutive Director of The Middle

*Ă€ÂœÂ?iVĂŒ

CONGREGATIONAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă•}i˜iĂŠ/°ĂŠ ĂžĂƒâÂ?iĂœĂƒÂŽÂˆ, chair of Rhode Island

Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ Ă•Ă€}] Beth Am Synagogue

EPISCOPAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,ĂŒ°ĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€i}ĂŠ,ˆVÂŽiÂ? UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ,Ă•ĂƒĂƒiÂ?Â?]ĂŠ ĂŠ ˆœViĂƒ>Â˜ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“Ê Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂŠ

on LGBT Ministries UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆiĂƒĂŒĂŠ ˜}iÂ?>ĂŠ-Â…iÂŤÂ…iĂ€`

MUSLIM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ LĂ€>Â…ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ L`Ă•Â?‡ >ĂŒÂˆÂ˜] scholar and author UĂŠĂŠĂŠ->ÂľÂˆLĂŠ Â?ˆ] community advocate and former State

iÂ?i}>ĂŒiĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >ÀÞÂ?>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠÂœvĂŠ iÂ?i}>ĂŒiĂƒ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ->>`ˆ>ĂŠ Â…>˜]ĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂ“iĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂœĂ€`ˆ˜>ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ

*Ă•LÂ?ˆVĂŠ vv>ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ Ă•}Â?i]ĂŠĂƒVÂ…ÂœÂ?>ÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ>Ă•ĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ€ĂŠ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ iÂ?Âœ`ÞÊ Âœiââˆ] scholar and author UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Â˜ÂˆĂŠ<œ˜˜iĂ›iÂ?`] co-founder and president of

Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ6>Â?Ă•iĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠVœ‡V…ˆivĂŠi`ÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ *Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ `iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠqĂŠ*iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ-ĂŒÂœĂ€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ the U.S. and Canada

NONDENOMINATIONAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒ>Ă€Â?i˜iĂŠ ÂœĂžÂ˜iÀÊ Ă•Ă€Â˜Ăƒ] wedding minister

PRESBYTERIAN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->“ÕiÂ?ĂŠ Â…Ă•] Executive Director of California Faith

for Equality

REFORM JUDAISM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ iÂ˜ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ }iĂ€] founding president of the

Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Interfaith Clergy Association,

œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ?ĂŠ “ˆ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ->Ă€>Â…ĂŠ iĂžĂŒÂˆÂ˜] The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,Ăž>Â˜ĂŠ iÂ?Â?] Seventh-Day Adventist pastor and

board member of the Interreligious Council of Southern California

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,iLiVV>ĂŠ6ÂœiÂ?ÂŽiÂ?] program director for the National

Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i˜˜iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ->“ÕiÂ?]ĂŠvÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂœĂ€ĂžĂŠ"Ă•ĂŒĂ€i>VÂ…ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ

ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â“ÂŤÂœĂœiÀ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ­6" ÂŽ

UNITED METHODIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒiÂŤÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠ ˜`iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜

UNITY CHURCH

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂœĂŒÂ…ĂžĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒ

OTHER AFFILIATIONS

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ/Ă€>VÂˆĂŠ °ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒ] Drew University Theological School UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ĂžĂ€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â“Ăƒ] Resurrection Community Church

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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Illinois Religious Leaders Supporting Marriage Equality BAPTIST

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >VÂŽÂˆĂŠ iÂ?ˆÂ?i] Living Well Ministries, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ >ÀÀÞÊ Ă€ii˜wiÂ?`] American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ7i>ĂƒÂ?iĂž] The Night Ministry, Grace Baptist Church, American EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â˜Â˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ >>ÂŽ] Lake Street Church, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂ•}Â?>ĂƒĂŠ-Â…>À] Lake Street Church, American

CHAMPAIGN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŠ/>Ăž>LÂ?ˆ] Illinois Disciples Foundation NORMAL UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœLĂŠ,Ăž`iĂ€]ĂŠNew Covenant Community Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ,Ăž`iĂ€] New Covenant Community Church SPRINGFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ĂœÂ˜ĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂœĂ€] Christian Church

CATHOLIC CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ-Ă€°ĂŠ >ÀÞÊ >ÞÊ Â?>˜ˆ}>˜] OSF UĂŠĂŠĂŠ V˜°ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ >}iĂƒ] St. Mary of the Woods UĂŠĂŠĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ6iÀÞÊ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Â˜ĂŠ iˆÂ?ÂŽi] St. Thomas Mission, Orthodox UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ V˜°ĂŠ i˜Â?>Â“ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ,Âœi] St. Thomas Mission, Orthodox

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN SPRINGFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă€iĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂˆÂŤĂƒVœ“L]ĂŠĂŠ First Church of the Brethren

CONGREGATIONAL EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ Â˜Â˜ĂŠ,ÂœĂƒiĂœ>Â?Â?

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˆââÂˆĂŠ iĂž`i“>˜˜] ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“]ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂŽ>Â˜ĂŠ …ˆV>}Âœ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ-ˆi}iÂ?]ĂŠĂŠ Anshe Emet Synagogue UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ<>VÂ…>ÀÞÊ-ˆÂ?Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠAnshe Emet Synagogue 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ Â“ÂˆĂŒ>ÂˆĂŠ `Â?iĂ€]ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ i>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜} UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ >˜`>Ă•]ĂŠĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ i>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜} NORTHFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ iLĂ€>ĂŠ iĂœÂ“>Â˜ĂŠ >“ˆ˜] Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ•>Ă€ĂŒĂŠ-ˆ“œ˜] Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation RIVER FOREST UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ,ÂœLÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ >Â“ĂƒÂŽĂž] 7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ-Ă•LĂ•Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ/i“Â?iĂŠ >ÀÊ<ˆœ˜

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

EPISCOPAL ARLINGTON HEIGHTS UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ° °ĂŠ VVÂ?iĂƒ] St. Simon's Episcopal Church BARRINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*>ĂŒĂ€ÂˆVÂŽĂŠ,>ĂžÂ“ÂœÂ˜`] St. Michael's Episcopal Church BELVIDERE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂžViĂŠ i>Ă•Â?ˆiĂ•]ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ BOLINGBROOK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iˆ`ÂˆĂŠ >Ă›iÀŽ>“] Church of St. Benedict CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂ€ÂœÂ“iĂŠ `>Â“Ăƒ]ĂŠ ĂƒĂƒÂœVˆ>ĂŒiĂŠ*Ă€Âœ`Ă•ViĂ€]ĂŠ Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ/i`ĂŠ Ă•Ă€ĂŒÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠGrace Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ6iÀÞÊ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->Ă€>Â…ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…iĂ€]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*iĂŒiĂ€ÂżĂƒĂŠ ÂŤÂˆĂƒVÂœÂŤ>Â?ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ/ĂžĂ€ÂœÂ˜iĂŠ ÂœĂœÂ?ÂŽiĂƒ]ĂŠĂŠ Director of Spiritual Formation, UCAN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >V¾ÕiÂ?ˆ˜iĂŠ ĂžÂ˜Â˜] St. James Cathedral UĂŠĂŠĂŠ, ĂŠ iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ œ˜˜ˆiĂŠ ˜˜iĂŠ*iÀÀÞ]ĂŠAll Saint’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ*iĂŒÂˆĂŒi] St. Anna's Chapel, ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ}œ“iÀÞÊ*Â?>Vi UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >ÞÊ Â…>ÂŤÂ?>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ->ĂŒĂŒiÂ?“>ˆiĂ€] All Saint's Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ-Â?Âœ>˜] ÂŤÂˆĂƒVÂœÂŤ>Â?ĂŠ ˆœViĂƒiĂŠÂœvĂŠ …ˆV>}ÂœĂŠEĂŠ …ˆV>}ÂœĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ăƒi UĂŠĂŠĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€>ĂŠ7>}˜iÀÊ-Â…iĂ€iĂ€]ĂŠĂŠ St. John's Episcopal Church CLARENDON HILLS UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆ“iiĂŠ iÂ?iĂ›iĂŒĂŒ]ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ >ĂŒÂˆĂ›ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ CORALVILLE, IA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ,ˆVÂ…>Ă€`ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?Ă•Ăƒ] New Song Episcopal Church ELMHURST UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒiĂ›iĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒâ] Church of Our Saviour Episcopal EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Âœ>Â˜ĂŠ >ÀÀÊ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠSt. Mark's Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iLĂ€>ĂŠ Ă•Â?Â?ÂœVÂŽ] St. Mark’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â…>Ă€Â?iĂƒĂŠ`iĂŠ >Ăž]ĂŠSt. Matthew's Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ6iÀÞÊ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ i>˜˜iĂŒĂŒiĂŠ i Ă€ÂˆiĂƒĂŒ] St. Luke's Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,Âœ}iÀÊ iĂ€Â?Âœ]ĂŠSeabury-Western Theological Seminary UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ >Ă€Â?ÂœĂœ]ĂŠĂŠ -i>LÕÀއ7iĂƒĂŒiĂ€Â˜ĂŠ/Â…iÂœÂ?Âœ}ˆV>Â?ĂŠ-i“ˆ˜>ÀÞ]ĂŠ*iÂœÂŤÂ?iÂżĂƒĂŠ Church of Chicago

GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂœĂ€}iĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…] St. Mark's Episcopal Church GURNEE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >˜iĂŠ-VÂ…>iviĂ€] Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church HIGHLAND PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˜`Ă€i>ĂŠ ĂžĂƒi˜] Trinity Episcopal Church NORTHBROOK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iiĂŠ >i`i] St. Giles Episcopal Church PARK RIDGE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->Ă€>Â…ĂŠ °ĂŠ"``iĂ€ĂƒĂŒÂœÂ?, St. Mary's Episcopal Church ROCKFORD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*>“iÂ?>ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?i˜LĂ€>˜`] Emmanuel Episcopal Church WAUCONDA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒÂ…>ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?iĂŒĂŒi]ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ ÂŤÂœĂƒĂŒÂ?iĂƒ WAUKEGAN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆÂ?iiÂ˜ĂŠ-Â…>˜Â?iއ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂƒ] Christ Episcopal Church WOODSTOCK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*>ĂŒĂ€ÂˆVˆ>ĂŠ œ˜Â?iĂž] St. Ann's Episcopal Church

LUTHERAN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ Âœi}iĂ€] Our Saviors Lutheran Church, ELCA BARRINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ >Ă€Â?ĂƒÂœÂ˜] New Life Lutheran Church, ELCA CHAMPAIGN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ĂƒĂŒÂ…iÀÊ*ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ˜ÂœĂž]ĂŠSt. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆ>Â?>ĂŠ iĂ•ÂŽi“>]ĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠ6ˆiĂœĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂŽĂŠ °ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÂ˜Ăƒi˜] St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ ˆVÂŽ] Ebenezer Lutheran Church, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€i`ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂƒiĂž] Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂœÂŤĂŠ7>ĂžÂ˜iĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?iĂ€]ĂŠELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă€>ˆ}ĂŠ Ă•iÂ?Â?iĂ€]ĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂƒ] Unity Lutheran Church, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă•Â?ˆiĂŠ,Ăž>˜] Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-i“ˆ˜>Ă€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ ĂžÂ?iĂŠ-iĂ›iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆVÂ…iÂ?Â?iĂŠ-iĂ›Âˆ}]ĂŠĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ DES PLAINES UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ-VÂ…ĂœÂˆVÂŽ] Lutheran Advocacy of Illinois, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, ELCA ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ iÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÀÞ] Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, ELCA EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Â?ÂœĂž`ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂŒÂ?>Ă•Ăƒ]ĂŠUniversity Lutheran Church, ELCA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂŒĂŒĂžĂŠ >˜`ÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ÂżĂƒĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ œ˜ˆ}] Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA LINCOLNWOOD UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*>ĂŒĂ€ÂˆVÂŽĂŠ V Ă•ÂˆĂ€i]ĂŠSt. John’s Lutheran Church

MARYVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê6iÂˆĂŒÂ…] Our Lord's Lutheran Church, ELCA NORTHFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ˜Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŠ iÂ?Â?Ăž] Lutheran Church of the Ascension, ELCA OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ >ĂŒÂ…ĂžĂŠ ÂœÂ?ĂŒi] Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA ROCKFORD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i˜˜iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-ĂŒÂœĂ€VÂŽ]ĂŠGloria Dei Lutheran Church, ELCA ROCK ISLAND UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ĂŒ>VˆiĂŠ ˆi`Â?>Ă€] St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA ROMEOVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•â>˜˜iĂŠ ˜`iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜Â‡ Ă•Ă€`Â?i]ĂŠĂŠ Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA

MENNONITE CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ i}>Â˜ĂŠ,>“iĂ€]ĂŠĂŠ Chicago Community Mennonite Church EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒVÂ…iÂ?Â?ĂŠ °ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂœÂ˜] Evanston Mennonite Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ iĂŒĂ€ÂœÂŤÂœÂ?ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… BROOKFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜Â˜ĂžĂŠ-ÂŤi>Ă€Ăƒ] ÂœÂ?ÞÊ ÂœĂ›i˜>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ iĂŒĂ€ÂœÂŤÂœÂ?ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*iĂŒiÀÊ/Ă€>L>Ă€ÂˆĂƒ] ÂœÂ?ÞÊ ÂœĂ›i˜>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ iĂŒĂ€ÂœÂŤÂœÂ?ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ6>Â˜ĂŠ iÂ?`iĂ€]ĂŠĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ ÂœĂ›i˜>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ iĂŒĂ€ÂœÂŤÂœÂ?ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,>VÂ…iÂ?Â?iĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂœÂ˜] A Church for Me SPRINGFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ/ÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠ/…ˆi“>˜]ĂŠĂŠ i>Ă€ĂŒÂ?>˜`ĂŠ iĂŒĂ€ÂœÂŤÂœÂ?ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠĂŠ ÂœĂ€`ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ,°ĂŠ V ÂœĂž]ĂŠA Church 4 Me

MULTI-DENOMINATIONAL CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ °ĂŠ Âœ`ĂƒV…ˆi`Â?iĂ€] Ăž`iĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ>˜`ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂœÂœÂœ`ĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€v>ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?]ĂŠ University Church

PRESBYTERIAN CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœViÂ?ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ >`Ăœ>Â?Â?>`iĂ€] >ÂŽiĂŠ6ˆiĂœĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >˜iĂŒĂŒiĂŠ->ĂœĂžiĂ€]ĂŠGrace Commons UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂžViĂŠ-…ˆ˜]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜iĂŠ6Âœ}iÂ?]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… CRYSTAL LAKE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?œ˜]ĂŠ Ă€ĂžĂƒĂŒ>Â?ĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>˜‡,ˆ`}iwiÂ?`

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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GENEVA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒĂŠ,ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂ…]ĂŠ ÂœĂ?ĂŠ6>Â?Â?iÞÊ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ ĂŠ URBANA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€LĂž]ĂŠ œœ`ĂŠ-Â…iÂŤ>Ă€`ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… WINNETKA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ÂœĂœiĂ€]ĂŠ7ˆ˜˜iĂŒÂŽ>ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒLĂžĂŒiĂ€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…

PROTESTANT

EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€Vˆ>ĂŠ iiĂŒiĂ€] Lake Street Church

RECONSTRUCTIONIST JUDAISM CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ÂœĂ€`>Â˜ĂŠ i˜`>ĂŒÂ‡ ÂŤÂŤiÂ?Â?]ĂŠĂŠ Center for Jewish Mindfulness

REFORM JUDAISM

BUFFALO GROVE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Â…iÀÞÂ?ĂŠ7Ă•Â˜VÂ…]ĂŠCongregation Beth Am CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ >ĂŒĂƒÂ…iĂ›>ĂŠ ÂŤÂŤiÂ?] ° ° °ĂŠ Ăƒ>ˆ>Â…ĂŠ ĂƒĂ€>iÂ?ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ >ÀÀÞÊ `Ăœ>Ă€`Ăƒ] Congregation Or Chadash UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă›ÂˆĂ›>ĂŠ >ĂŒâ“>˜]ĂŠTemple Sholom UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ<i`iÂŽ] Emanuel Congregation EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ*iĂŒiÀÊ-°ĂŠ ˜œLiÂ?] Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˜`Ă€i>ĂŠ œ˜`œ˜]ĂŠĂŠ Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue GLENCOE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ÀÕViĂŠ Â?`iĂ€]ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ >ÂŽ>v>ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ7i˜`ÂˆĂŠ ivvi˜] North Shore Congregation Israel HIGHLAND PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ >Ă›ÂˆĂƒ] Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism Children's Center UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˜˜iĂŠ*iĂ€ĂƒÂˆÂ˜]ĂŠCongregation B’nai Torah HOMEWOOD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ Â?Â?iÂ˜ĂŠ Ă€iĂžvĂ•Ăƒ] B'nai Yehuda Beth Sholom LONG GROVE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ Â?ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ LĂ€>Â“Ăƒ] Temple Chai UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ-ĂŒiÂŤÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒ] Temple Chai UĂŠĂŠĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ-ˆ“œ˜] Temple Chai NORTHBROOK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ-ˆ`˜iÞÊ iÂ?LĂ€>Ă•Â˜]ĂŠTemple Beth El UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ/ÂœLÞÊ >˜iĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠ/i“Â?iĂŠ iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ Â? NORTHFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ œ…i˜]ĂŠTemple Jeremiah OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ >Ă?ĂŠ7iÂˆĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠĂŠ ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ/i“Â?iĂŠ ÂżÂ˜>ÂˆĂŠ LĂ€>Â…>“Ê<ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ SKOKIE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ “ÞÊ iÂ“ÂˆĂƒÂ‡ ÂœÂ?iĂ€]ĂŠTemple Judea MizpahĂŠ WILMETTE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ->“ÕiÂ?ĂŠ ÂœĂ€`œ˜]ĂŠCongregation Sukkat Shalom 10 |

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

RELIGIOUS SCIENCE

CARY UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˜˜iĂŠ Ă•iÂ?Â?i“>˜]ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂ•>Â?ĂŠ Ă›ÂœÂ?Ă•ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ă‰ĂŠ V iÂ˜Ă€ĂžĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ,iÂ?ˆ}ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ-Vˆi˜Vi OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀÞÊ iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-ÂŤiiĂ€]ĂŠĂŠ ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ,iÂ?ˆ}ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ-Vˆi˜Vi

RENEWAL JUDAISM

DEERFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ Âœ`ÂˆĂŠ ÂœĂ€Â˜viÂ?`]ĂŠĂŠ iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ Â…>Ă›iĂ€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ Փ>Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆVĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

BLOOMINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >VŽˆiĂŠ Â?i“iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠĂŠ Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,Ă•`Ă€>ĂŠ Ă•Â˜`âˆÂ?>]ĂŠSecond Unitarian Church of Chicago UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,Ă•ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ˜>}iĂž]ĂŠĂŠ Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal CARBONDALE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê->ĂƒĂƒÂœ]ĂŠCarbondale Unitarian Fellowship CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ iiĂŠ >ÀŽiĂ€]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠEĂŠ*Ă€ÂœviĂƒĂƒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ iˆÂ?ĂŠ iĂ€`iĂƒ]ĂŠĂŠ Meadville Lombard Theological School, St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ Âœ}Ă•i]ĂŠĂŠ Meadville Lombard Theological School UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ `>“Ê,ÂœLiĂ€ĂƒÂ“ÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠSecond Unitarian Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ7°ĂŠ/ÂœÂ?Â?iĂž]ĂŠĂŠ Meadville Lombard Theological School ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒÂˆiĂ€]ĂŠĂŠ Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin MCHENRY UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-i>Â˜ĂŠ*°ĂŠ iÂ˜Â˜ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠUnitarian Universalist Congregation OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ “ˆÂ?ÞÊ >}i]ĂŠUnity Temple UU Congregation PALATINE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆÂ?>ÀÞÊ ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆĂ›VÂ…i˜ˆ>]ĂŠĂŠ Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist PEORIA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂœÂ˜]ĂŠUnitarian Universalist Church ROCKFORD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ >ĂŒĂŒÂ…iĂœĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂƒÂœÂ˜Â‡ ÂœĂžÂ?i]ĂŠĂŠ The Unitarian Universalist Church STOCKTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂŽĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ >Ă€Â?ĂƒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠĂŠ Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ALGONQUIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ œ˜>Â?`ĂŠ-V…“ˆ`ĂŒ]ĂŠĂŠ First Congregational Church of Algonquin

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀŽÊ }˜ˆ˜ˆ]ĂŠSt. Mark's Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ivvĂ€iÞÊ ĂŠ*…ˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂŤĂƒ]ĂŠSt. John's United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,iĂ?ĂŠ ĂŠ*ˆiĂ€VĂž] Congregational United Church of Christ AURORA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀÞÊ V >˜˜]ĂŠNew England Congregational Church BERWYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ?Â?ÞÊ Ă€ÂœĂ•ĂœiĂ€] United Church of Christ CAHOKIA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ?ĂŠ-Â…>Â˜ÂŽĂƒ] Bethel United Church of Christ CANTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•iĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŒÂœÂ˜] First Congregational United Church of Christ CARBONDALE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-œ˜Â?>ĂŠ ˜}iLĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂƒi˜]ĂŠChurch of the Good Shepherd CARPENTERSVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >“iĂƒĂŠ i˜âˆ˜}]ĂŠFirst Congregational United Church of Christ CHAMPAIGN UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆiĂŠ >Â?Â?>Â…>˜ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă•Ă€ÂˆiĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*iĂŒiĂ€½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i>Â…ĂŠ,ÂœLLiĂ€ĂŒĂƒÂ‡ ÂœĂƒĂƒiĂ€] Community United Church of Christ

CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ĂŠ Â˜ĂŒÂˆi>Ă•]ĂŠSt. Nicolai United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€L>Ă€>ĂŠ ÂœÂ?Ăƒi˜] Night Ministry, Epiphany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê ÂœĂ€`œ˜>Ă€Âœ] Bethany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â?ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœÂ?Â?ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠĂŠ Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â?ĂŒiĂ€]ĂŠRavenswood United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ7°ĂŠ-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ >Â?`i“>˜]ĂŠChicago Theological Seminary UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ Â?ˆViĂŠ Ă•Â˜ĂŒ]ĂŠChicago Theological Seminary, Trinity United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂƒÂœÂ˜] Ăž`iĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ1Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ >ÂŤĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂ›ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ V iÂ“ÂœĂ€i] Epiphany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€}iĂŠ ÂœĂ€>Â?iĂƒ] Illinois Conference UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ"ĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠ ]ĂŠTrinity United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ6iĂ€ĂŒÂˆiĂŠ*ÂœĂœiĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂœÂœÂœ` UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂˆĂƒĂŠEĂŠ >VŽˆiĂŠ,ÂˆĂ›iĂ€]ĂŠWellington Avenue United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂ›ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ/ˆ˜`iÂ?Â?] New Dimensions UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ"ĂƒV>ÀÊ6>Ă€Â˜>`ÂœiĂŠ ]ĂŠTrinity United Church of Christ CRYSTAL LAKE UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀÞÊ Ă€>“iĂ€]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ˜}Â?ÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church of Crystal Lake UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ĂžÂ˜`>ĂŠ6>VÂŽ>Ă€]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church DEERFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,Âœ}iÀÊ >Ă€ĂŒ]ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iiĂ€wiÂ?` UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ Â…>“LiĂ€Â?ˆ˜‡-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠĂŠ /Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ iiĂ€wiÂ?` DEKALB UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂƒiÂŤÂ…ĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒÂˆ}iĂ€]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă•`ÞÊ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒ] First Congregational United Church of Christ

DOWNERS GROVE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ"LiĂ€Â?i]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church of Christ ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*>ˆ}iĂŠ7ÂœÂ?v>˜}iĂ€]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ÂżĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ ELMHURST UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i>˜˜iĂŠ Ă•Ă€>ĂœĂƒÂŽÂˆ]ĂŠ-ĂŒĂŠ*iĂŒiĂ€ÂżĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€`ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…] Bethel United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ °ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ-ÂœÂ?LiĂ€}] Second Congregational United Church of Christ EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7>ĂžÂ˜iĂŠ >V*Â…iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠĂŠ First Congregational Church of Evanston GENEVA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,iLiVV>ĂŠ Â?>˜VĂž] First Congregational Church of Geneva UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ °ĂŠ Ă€ĂœÂˆÂ˜]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church of Geneva UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ?ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ >Lˆ>˜] First Congregational Church of Geneva GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠ >Ă€iĂž] First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â˜ĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?] First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn HIGHLAND UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÀÀÞÊ i˜˜iĂŒĂŒ]ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“Ê ÂœÂœĂ€`ˆ˜>ĂŒÂœĂ€]ĂŠ Illinois South Conference, Illinois Conference United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Â…iÂ?`ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•Â?Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ?ĂŠ Ă•Ă€Ă€ÂˆiÀ‡ Ă€Âˆ}Â…iĂŒĂŒÂœ] -ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ HINSDALE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›iĂ€i˜`ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ/Â…ÂœÂ“ĂŠ*>Ă€Ă€ÂœĂŒĂŒÂ‡-Â…ivviĂ€] 1Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ`>Â?i INDIAN HEAD PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠĂ›ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ/Ă€iLĂ€>]ĂŠĂŠ Lyonsville Congregational United Church of Christ JACKSONVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ °ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂƒÂœÂ˜, Congregational United Church of Christ Jacksonville UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Â?`iÀÊ >ĂœÂ˜ĂŠ->˜VÂ…iâ] -ĂŒ°ĂŠ œ…˜½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ >˜Ž>ÂŽii LOMBARD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ >ĂŒwiÂ?`] First Church of Lombard NAPERVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ/ÂˆÂ“ÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-ĂžÂ?Ă›Âˆ>]ĂŠ ÂœÂŤiĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀŽÊ7ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠFirst Congregational Church OAK LAWN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ*i}}ÞÊ V Â?>˜>Â…>˜] *ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ >ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i>Â…ĂŠ ÂœĂœÂ?iĂ€]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i>Â˜ĂŠ œŽiÂ?]ĂŠ*ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ Ă•Â?ˆiĂŠ >Ă€Â?iĂž]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ÂœLĂŠ iĂ›iĂ€Âˆ`}i]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->Â?Â?ÞÊ6iĂ€-VÂ…>Ă›iĂŠ LiĂ€}]ĂŠ*ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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OTTAWA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ7ÂˆÂ˜Â˜ĂŠ Â?Â?iĂž]ĂŠOttawa United Church of Christ ROCKFORD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ Ă€i`ĂŠ Ă€>Ă•ĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠĂŠ Second Congregational United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ-ÂˆÂ“Â“ÂœÂ˜Ăƒ] Spring Creek United Church of Christ PEORIA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ ii˜iއ >ĂƒĂŒÂˆ>˜ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ?iĂŠ œŽi] Fondulac Congregational Church of Christ SKOKIE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*iĂŒiÀÊ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ SPRINGFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ iĂ?ĂŒiĂ€] First Congregational United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >“iĂƒĂŠ ˆLLiĂŒĂŒ] First Congregation United Church of Christ WEST CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ˜ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ Ă€ÂˆiLÂ?iĂ€] St. Michael's United Church of Christ WEST DUNDEE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ >“iĂƒ] First Congregational United Church of Christ

UNITED METHODIST ANTIOCH UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒÂ…>ĂŠ-V…“ˆ`ĂŒ] United Methodist Church ARLINGTON HEIGHTS UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ œ˜˜ˆiĂŠ iVŽœ˜VÂ…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ] ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ iĂŒÂ…Âœ`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Ă€Â?ˆ˜}ĂŒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ iˆ}Â…ĂŒĂƒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂŒĂŒĂžĂŠ ÂœĂŠ­ ° °ŽĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ÂŽÂ…>Â…Â˜ĂŠ,œ““iÂ?v>˜}iĂ€] Church of the Incarnation AUBURN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠ >Ă•}Â…Â?>˜] United Methodist Church BARRINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ7Ă•Â?vv]ĂŠSalem United Methodist Church BARTONVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ˆ˜`>ĂŠ ĂŠ,ˆVÂ…>Ă€`]ĂŠBartonville Methodist Church BENTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Â…>˜iĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…]ĂŠFirst United Methodist Church CHATHAM UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->Ă€>ĂŠ ĂƒLiÂ?Â?] Chatham United Methodist Church CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆ>Â˜ĂŠ œœ˜]ĂŠ1Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ6ˆÂ?Â?>}iĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€i}ÂœĂ€ĂžĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠBerry United Methodist UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂœĂ€Âˆ>ĂŠ >`>Ăœ>Ăž] Ă€Ă›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ iĂŒÂ…Âœ`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ/Ă€iÞÊ >Â?Â?]ĂŠ1Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ6ˆÂ?Â?>}iĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂŒ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ Ăƒ>>V]ĂŠ1Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ6ˆÂ?Â?>}iĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-Â…iĂ€Ă€ÂˆiĂŠ ÂœĂœÂ?Ăž]ĂŠBerry Memorial Methodist Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂˆĂƒĂŠ V Ă•Â?Â?i˜‡*>ÀÀ] Broadway Methodist Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂ?ĂŠ V Â?ÂœĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜Â‡ Â?Â?iĂ€]ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ,Âœ}iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â“ÂœĂƒĂŠ"Â?>`ÂˆÂŤÂœ] Epworth Methodist Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ/Ă€ÂœĂžĂŠ*Â?Փ“iĂ€] Reconciling Ministries UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆVi] Ă€>ViĂŠ iĂŒÂ…Âœ`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ1Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ6ˆÂ?Â?>}iĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… 12 |

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7i˜`ÞÊ Â˜Â˜ĂŠ7ÂˆĂŒĂŒ]

First Methodist Church Chicago Temple ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ĂŒiÂŤÂ…>˜ˆiĂŠ ĂƒVÂ…iĂ€]ĂŠUMC Cornerstone EVANSTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ˆVÂ…>Ă€`ĂŠ ÂœĂƒÂ?iÞÊ Ă€] i“iÂ˜Ăœ>ÞÊ iĂŒÂ…Âœ`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă•Â?ˆiĂŠ7ˆ˜`ĂƒÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒVÂ…iÂ?Â?, University Christian Ministry at Northwestern University GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Â?ˆâ>LiĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœĂœiĂƒ] Glen Ellyn First United Methodist Church PONTIAC UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ >Ă€Â˜iĂƒ] *ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂˆ>VĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ iĂŒÂ…Âœ`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ… MACON UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >˜iĂŒĂŠ }}Â?iĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠMacon United Methodist Church MAHOMET UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iĂ€i“ˆ>Â…ĂŠ/Â…ÂœÂ“ÂŤĂƒÂœÂ˜] Mahomet United Methodist MURPHYSBORO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ, ĂŠ iĂ›°ĂŠ-Ă•iĂŠ >ˆÂ?iĂž]ĂŠĂŠ United Methodist Church of Murphysboro NAPERVILLE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ œ˜>Â?`ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂœÂœÂ˜}iĂ€] Grace United Methodist Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒ>ĂŠ/iÂ?œ“i˜] Grace United Methodist Church OAK PARK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒÂˆĂŠ-VÂœĂŒĂŒ] Euclid Avenue Methodist Church RIVERSIDE UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂ•}Â?>ĂƒĂŠ ĂƒLÕÀÞ]ĂŠRiverside United Methodist Church SPRINGFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă•Â?ˆ>ĂŠ iÂ?}Ă€ii˜] Douglas Avenue UMC TUSCOLA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-VÂ…Ă•ĂŒĂŒi] Tuscola United Methodist church URBANA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ ˆ˜}ĂŠ Ă€i`i, Wesley United Methodist Church

UNITY CHURCH BATAVIA UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂŒÂ?i]ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœĂ?ĂŠ6>Â?Â?iÞÊ QUINCY UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠUnity Spiritual Life Center ROCKFORD UĂŠĂŠĂŠ œ˜˜>ĂŠ ``ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜] Board of Directors, Christ Church Unity of Rockford

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CHICAGO UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ˆVÂŽĂŠ ˜}ÂœĂŒĂŒÂˆ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ?iĂƒĂŒiĂŠ Ă€>âˆiĂ€]ĂŠ*ÂœĂœiĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ"˜i˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠ-ÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂ•>Â?ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀŽÊ Â˜ĂŒÂ…ÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠ ÂœĂ€`]ĂŠBodhi Spiritual Center UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœiĂŒĂŒiĂŠ7>ĂŒiĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠĂŠ 7i``ˆ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÀÉÊ Âœ`Â…ÂˆĂŠ-ÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂ•>Â?ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€ OAK BROOK UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆ>Â˜Ăƒi˜] M.Div.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

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Marriage equality is politically right and morally right; it fundamentally strengthens our Catholic values by supporting all our families.” - Sister Jeannine Gramick, Roman Catholic nun and co-founder of New Ways Ministries

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Marriage, not civil union, gave me that sense of equality and belonging. Civil union with all the ‘rights of marriage,’ yet without the name of ‘marriage,’ is not freedom but a concession, is not liberty but toleration; and, therefore, ‘civil union’ is but another name for oppression.” Ê,iÛ°Ê-Ìi« i Ê,°Ê*>Ài ]Ê Û> }i V> Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ«>ÃÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ"Ì iÀÊ- ii«

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I see the issue of marriage equality as an important indication of human rights and social tolerance. I favor marriage equality because those who want to marry deserve the chance to do so, whether they have opposite-gender partners or same-gender partners.” Ê-V ÌÌÊ Õ} i]Ê ÕÃ ÊÃV >ÀÊ> `Ê>ÕÌ À

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The decision for or against marriage equality lay in the Constitution, not the Bible. I am not suggesting you ignore your Bibles; I am inviting you to revisit (not revise, revisit) the Scriptures used to investigate homosexuality and faith. Sexual orientation speaks of an i Ì > ]ÊÀi >Ì > ]Ê> `ÊÃiÝÕ> ÊvÕ w i ÌÊ> `ÊV v ÀÌ°Ê-ii }ÊÌ iÊ/À ÌÞÊ Ê}>ÞÊ«i « iÊ made me question what I believed and why I believed it.” Ê >Ì ÞÊ > ` V ]Ê ÃÌiÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ > Þ Ü> iÀÊ iVÌ Ã

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Our role is to do all we can to allow love to flourish.” - Rev. Sam Offer, Unity Fellowship minister

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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[Marriage for same-sex couples] doesn’t affect my marriage; it doesn’t affect anybody else’s marriage. It doesn’t harm us in any way.” Civil marriage is “a state issue separate from whatever religious folks might think of marriage.”

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Ê->µ LÊ ]Ê ÕÃ ÊV Õ ÌÞÊ>`Û V>ÌiÊ> `Êv À iÀÊ-Ì>ÌiÊ i i}>ÌiÊ ÊÌ iÊ >ÀÞ > `Ê ÕÃiÊ vÊ i i}>ÌiÃ

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people deserve the same freedoms and responsibilities when it comes to sacred covenants that straight people do. Love is love.” Ê,iÛ°Ê, L Ê Õ ]Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ«>ÃÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊv ÀÊÌ iÊ ÃÃ V >Ì Ê vÊ7i V }Ê> `Ê vwÀ }Ê >«Ì ÃÌÃ

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Marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is, in the end, about honoring the love and commitment shared between two people and supporting their families. That is why the majority of Catholics support marriage equality laws. Even though the Catholic hierarchy, who we respect, may not support marriage equality, we know our faith teaches that where there is love, there is God. And where there is love, there is the basis for a more healthy and more just society.” - Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry

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As a Muslim, it is my moral obligation to speak out and stand up whenever I see an injustice being carried out. If we, as Muslims, expect our rights to be respected around the world, then we too must respect the rights of other minority groups.”

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Ê i `ÞÊ iââ ]Ê À> > iÀ V> Ê>ÕÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ£ääÊ*i « iÊ vÊ > Ì

[Marriage equality] provides equal rights for same-gender couples, while at the same time preserving religious freedom and protecting the autonomy of religious institutions and their clergy.”

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- Rev. Delman Coates, Baptist senior pastor and organizer of the Enough is Enough Campaign

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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As preachers, we have to echo a message of inclusivity of all people in the family of God. Love, mutual respect, and care are hallmarks of family. So all that the church can do to support, bless, and sanction family, we should.” Ê,iÛ°Ê i iÌ Ê-> Õi ]Ê1

Ê ÃÌiÀÊ> `Êv Õ `iÀÊ vÊ6 VÌ ÀÞÊ"ÕÌÀi>V Ê Ê Õ ÌÞÊ « ÜiÀ i ÌÊ­6" ®

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As a Baptist minister, I don’t have the right to impose my views on anyone else. If committed gay and lesbian couples want to marry, that is their business, none of us should stand in their way.”

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- Rev. Al Sharpton, Baptist minister, founder of National Action Network and MSNBC commentator

My ordination vows require me to minister to all people in my congregation. This is about pastoral care, about welcoming all people, but especially the marginalized and the oppressed, like Jesus did.” - Rev. Sara Lamar-Sterling, United Methodist pastor and board member of Methodists in New Directions

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I believe that a gay couple who has chosen to make a life together and build a home and family together should be given the same rights under the law as other couples who act similarly. It seems to me that it is immoral for the state to decide which marriage is worthy. Gay people should be entitled to the same rights that a straight couple is, and matters of religion and morality are not matters for the state.” - Rabbi Francine Roston, Congregation Beth El (Conservative Judaism)

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I’m looking forward to the day when gay marriage is sanctioned by the state and I can sign a legal document stating the couple was married without having to schlep all the way to Massachusetts.” - Rabbi Joel Abraham, Temple Sholom (Reform Judaism)

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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“WHY IS GAY MARRIAGE AN ISSUE OF FAITH?�

,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˆââÂˆĂŠ iĂž`i“>˜˜]ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂŽ>Â˜ĂŠ …ˆV>}ÂœĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ˆvi ¾Õ>Â?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â?Â?ÂˆÂ˜ÂœÂˆĂƒĂŠ*Ă€>ĂžiÀÊ Ă€i>ÂŽv>ĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ >ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“ä£Ă“

I ASKEDʓÞÊVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Â…>LL>ĂŒĂŠĂœÂ…>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂľĂ•iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜°ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂŤÂœÂ˜Ăƒi\ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠĂœÂ…ĂžĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ}>Þʓ>Ă€Ă€Âˆ>}iĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ issue of faith, but why is faith concerned with marriage at all? Because surely whatever our reasons for being interested in marriage—how we regard and treat people who have committed their lives to each other, how we construe the responsibilities of people have who commit their lives to the other, what status we give people who have committed their lives to the other— whatever our reasons are for being interested in these questions regarding heteronormative relationships should govern our thinking about gay marriage as well. ˜`ii`]ĂŠ ĂŠ>vwÀ“i`]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/ÂœĂ€>…Ê“>ÂŽiĂƒĂŠĂ›iÀÞÊVÂ?i>ÀÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂƒiĂŒ\ĂŠ vĂŒiÀÊVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ?>˜`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒi>]ĂŠĂŒĂ€iiĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂŤÂ?>Â˜ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠĂƒĂ•Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ Ăƒi>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?>˜`ĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒ]ĂŠĂœiĂŠÂ?i>Ă€Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂƒiĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ}œœ`p/"6°ĂŠ ˜`ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠV>Â?Â?i`ĂŠ `>“p “>`iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iĂ€ĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆÂ“>}i]ĂŠ>vĂŒiÀÊ ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ?ˆŽi˜iĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠLÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂ“>Â?iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvi“>Â?iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ˜>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iÂ‡ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂ›iÀÞÊ}œœ`] /"6ĂŠ " °ĂŠ9iĂŒ]ĂŠ>“ˆ`ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ }œœ`˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€iĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂ€i>Â?ˆâi`ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠ>VĂŒĂ•>Â?Â?ĂžĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂ˜i}>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/ÂœĂ€>Â… "ĂŠ/"6ĂŠ 9"/ĂŠ ĂŠ ½6 "]pÂş ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ `>Â“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠ>Â?œ˜iÊ­ iÂ˜ĂŠĂ“\ÂŁnŽ° Yes, to the degree that the Torah is concerned with the human being; the Torah is obsessed with the human being in community. It is not good for us to be alone. That right there should be reason enough to say, We are concerned that human beings Â…>Ă›iĂŠ >VViĂƒĂƒĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ w˜`ˆ˜}ĂŠ iâiÀÊ ÂŽ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ Â…iÂ?ÂŤiÀÊ ĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ ĂƒÂˆÂ“Ă•Â?ĂŒ>˜iÂœĂ•ĂƒÂ?ÞÊ >ˆ`ĂƒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ ÂœÂŤÂŤÂœĂƒiĂƒĂŠ Ă•ĂƒpĂŒÂ…iĂŠ œ˜iĂŠ ĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ ÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂƒĂŠ `iiÂŤ]ĂŠ transformative, soul-connecting love, love born of mutual support and stability—imagery of two boards that in connecting opposing each other, help the other stand. The kind of love that sustains us and helps us grow, that creates loving, twoparent homes in which to raise children—whether or not those children are our biological offspring, whether those partners happen to be the same gender. That is one of the most profound lessons of Torah and of a Bible-based faith: We thrive with VÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂ†ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠw˜`ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠiâiÀʎ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvÂœĂ€iÂ“ÂœĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLÂ?iĂƒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒÂ…Âˆ° And then someone raised his hand. “What about the verse that says, ‘A man shall not lie with a man as he lies with a woman’?â€? ­ iÛÊ£n\Ă“Ă“ÂŽĂŠ/Â…iĂ€iĂŠ>Ă€iʓ>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂœ>ĂžĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂŤÂœÂ˜`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠVÂ…>Â?Â?i˜}i°ĂŠ ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒÂ…>Ă€iĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>VÂ…ĂŠ ĂŠw˜`ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVĂ•Â?>Ă€Â?ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ>Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ our age—an age of fundamentalists and literalists and claimers of Torah-true Judaism and gospel-truth Christians, people who ÂŤĂ€ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ?i}iĂŠViĂ€ĂŒ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ?>ĂœĂƒĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠ iĂ›ÂˆĂŒÂˆVĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂŁn\Ă“Ă“ĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠ i˜iĂƒÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ“\ÂŁn° The dean of my rabbinical school, Rabbi Brad Shavit Artson, describes the vocation of the master artist. The master artist, whether in painting or music, has mastered the basics of the craft—mastered all the scales and arpeggios, learned how to draw a killer still life. But the master artist must do more than master the basics and regurgitate them the way they’ve always been ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiÀÀiĂŒi`°ĂŠ “>}ˆ˜iĂŠÂˆvĂŠ iœ˜>Ă€`ÂœĂŠ >6ˆ˜Vˆ]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ iiĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ›i˜]ĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤi``Â?iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒ>“iĂŠĂœ>Ă€iĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜Â…iĂ€ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆV>Â?Â?Ăž]ĂŠ musically. No, the master artist takes the craft she has inherited and looks at it afresh in the light of the world she sees around her. What norms need to be challenged? What sacred golden calves of status quo must be smashed? The analogy is clear: we, the clergy in our respective faiths, have inherited a craft that includes preaching, pastoring, advocating, teaching, listening, utilizing the books, the verses, the words that we have inherited. No less than a master artist must choose one brush stroke or note over another to create a masterpiece, we must do the same with the traditions we have inherited. We must decide whether we preach and interpret with a hermeneutic of love and inclusion, or rest on the status quo that includes excluding certain people from rights and privileges held by others. We must decide whether we focus our attention on Genesis or Leviticus, which verses are timeless overarching principles of human life, and which must be reinterpreted for a new age. "ĂŠ/"6ĂŠ 9"/ĂŠ ĂŠ ½6 "]ĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iʅՓ>Â˜ĂŠLiˆ˜}]ʓ>Â?iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠvi“>Â?i]ĂŠ}>ĂžĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€>ˆ}Â…ĂŒ]ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠ>Â?œ˜i°ĂŠĂŠ ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠ for us to be alone. Any one of God’s children. This is a foundational principle, a guide and a lens through which to read every other verse in the Torah regarding human relationships. As humble masters of our tradition, it is our imperative to privilege ĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>VÂ…ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂŤĂ€iĂƒĂ•Â“iĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂƒĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠwĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Â˜ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠ else. The fact is that after God makes this declaration, God gives Adam, the human being, the ability to go through the animal Žˆ˜}`ÂœÂ“ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ€i>Â?ˆâiĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠwĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ…iÂ?ÂŤiĂ€]ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠiâiÀʎ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiĂ?ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂƒiĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠÂœÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ăƒ°ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠVÂ…>˜}iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ status quo for a new era. So must we.

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

“COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AS ADVOCATES AND VOICES FOR LGBT EQUALITY” ,iÛiÀi `Ê->À> Ê"``iÀÃÌ ]Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊ « ÃV «> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê*>À Ê, `}i]Ê µÕ> ÌÞÊ ÃÊ*À>ÞiÀÊ Ài> v>ÃÌ]Ê >ÞÊn]ÊÓä£Ó

YOU KNOW, you all know, it does not take much for one human being to decide that another human being is “other.” On the other hand…a great deal must be overcome for a person to decide that the person, that is someway different from them, is as deserving of God’s blessing as they are. In my experience as a clergy person, relationships are the only thing that can bridge the differences of “otherness.” Relationships change hearts and minds. Several years before I came to St. Mary’s, the parish called a partnered lesbian to serve >ÃÊ> Ê>Ãà ÃÌ }ÊV iÀ}ÞÊ«iÀà °Ê Ì Õ} Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊ >`ÊLii Ê> ʺ"«i Ê> `Ê vwÀ }Ê*>À à »Êv ÀÊ`iV>`iÃ]Ê Ì > ÞÊÌ iÀiÊÜ>ÃÊ some resistance to Aimee’s call and a few families left the congregation. But Aimee was so truly called to ministry and she was so gifted at her craft that she quickly charmed the socks off the place. She and her spouse Alison were involved in everything together. They modeled Christian service and Christian marriage. The congregation could not help but compare Aimee and Alison to the senior clergy member and his spouse who never seemed to be around because she was a clergy person who served another congregation. Aimee and Alison had such an impact on the community that when the congregation was preparing to call a new clergy leader—me—the same octogenarians that had resisted Aimee’s coming told those in charge of hiring a new clergy leader that they wanted their new priest to have a “normal marriage” like Aimee and Alison. Relationships change hearts and minds! I am convinced that God wants communities of faith to be in the business of building Ài >Ì Ã «ÃÊÌ >ÌÊLÀ `}iʺ Ì iÀ iÃð»Ê ÃÊ ÕV Ê>ÃÊà iÊ vÊÕÃÊÜ Ê ÛiÊ Ê« >ViÃÊ iÊ*>À Ê, `}iÊÜ Õ `Ê ÛiÊÌ Ê >ÛiÊÌ }ÃÊLiÊ ` vviÀi Ì]ÊÜiÊ>ÀiÊ ÌÊÌ iÊwÀÃÌÊ« >ViÊÌ iÊ /ÊV Õ ÌÞÊ ÃÊ} }ÊÌ ÊÌ Ê vÊÜ i Ê }ÊÌ ÊiÝ« ÀiÊ `½ÃÊV> ÊÌ Ê ÕÀ iÞÊ Ê faith. That doesn’t mean we don’t have an important role to play in advocating for LGBT equality! /Ü Ê> `Ê>Ê > vÊ`iV>`iÃÊ>} ]ÊÜ i Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊwÀÃÌÊ«À V > i`Ê ÌÃi vÊ>Ê« >ViÊ vÊÜi V i]Ê ½ Ê«ÀiÌÌÞÊÃÕÀiÊÌ iÊV }Ài}>Ì Ê >`Ê no idea where that designation of hospitality would take them. Since then we have become a haven for families, friends, supporters and those questioning. We are a safe place to engage in big questions. We are a resource to congregations around us testing the waters of full inclusion. Faith communities should be a place where people can come to know and love those who they consider to be other. Faith communities should be a place where people can experience a same-sex marriage that looks more “normal” than a hetero-marriage. Faith communities should be a place where all people know themselves to be worthy of God’s blessing. o ½`Ê iÊÌ Ê vviÀÊÞ ÕÊ>Ê«À>ÞiÀÊÕÃi`Ê iÀiÊ ÊÌ iÊ « ÃV «> Ê ViÃiÊ vÊ V>} Ê`ÕÀ }Ê/ iÊ7 Ì iÃà }Ê> `Ê iÃà }Ê vÊ>Ê ÞÊ Union: Most gracious God, you have put into the hearts of your people a yearning for union with you and one another. You V> ÊÕÃÊ Ì ÊV Ûi > ÌÊ> `Êi ` ÜÊÕÃÊÜ Ì Ê i>ÀÌÊ> `ÊÜ ÊÌ >ÌÊÜiÊ >ÞÊ ÀÊ> `Ê ii«Ê ÕÀÊV Ì i ÌðÊ* ÕÀÊ ÕÌÊÞ ÕÀÊL iÃà }Ê upon this couple, that they my honor one another in all times and in all places. Bless them in their loving faithfulness; touch others through them, that many may know more fully the grace of your love. Deepen their joy, sanctify their celebration; guide > `ÊV à iÊÌ i Ê Ê` vwVÕ ÌÊÌ iÃÆÊiÛiÀÊÃÕÃÌ> Ê ÊÌ i Ê> Ê>Ü>Ài iÃÃÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊ Û }ÊV>ÀiÆÊ> `Êw > ÞÊLÀ }ÊÌ i ÊÌ Ê ÜÊÞ ÕÊ face to face… This prayer and others like it are a step in the right direction, but they do not mark the end of the journey. Communities of faith need to continue to advocate for full marriage equality for all of God’s people. We all need to love and to be loved and to know God blesses us in doing so. This is the work of faith communities.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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COMING OUT IN FAVOR OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL

TELL YOUR BRETHREN who are part of your ministerial coalition to “live their faith and not legislate their faith,” for the Constitution is designed to protect the rights of all. We must learn to be more than a one-issue community and seek the Li Ûi`ÊV Õ ÌÞÊÜ iÀiÊÜiÊ >ÞÊ ÌÊ> Ê>}Àii]ÊLÕÌÊÜiÊ> ÊÀiV } âiÊÌ iÊw }iÀ«À ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ Û iÊÕ« Ê> Ê vÊ Õ > ÌÞ° There is no doubt people who are same-gender-loving occupy prominent places in the body of Christ. For the clergy to hide from true dialogue with quick dismissive claims devised from poor biblical scholarship is as sinful as unthoughtful acceptance of a theological position. When we make biblical claims without sound interpretation, we run the risk of adopting a doctrinal position of deep conviction but devoid of love. Deep faith may resonate in our position, but it is the ethic of love that forces us to prayerfully reexamine our position. The question I believe we should pose to our congregations is, “Should all Americans have the same civil rights?” This is a radically different question than the one you raised with the ministers, “Does the church have the right to perform or not perform certain religious rites?” There is difference between rights and rites. We should never misconstrue rights designed to protect diverse individuals in a pluralistic society versus religious rites designed by faith communities to communicate a theological or doctrinal perspective. These two questions are answered in two fundamentally different arenas. One is answered in the arena of civic debate where the Constitution is the document of authority. The other is answered in the realm of ecclesiastical councils where theology, conscience, and biblical mandates are the guiding ethos. I do not believe ecclesiastical councils are equipped to shape civic legislation, nor are civic representatives equipped to shape religious rituals and doctrine. / iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ ÃÊ ÌÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V Ê>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ̽ÃÊÜ À`Ã°Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊÜ>ÃÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V ÊÞi>ÀÃÊ>} ÊLÞÊ men who viewed women as property and children as trophies of sexual prowess. Marriage is under attack by low wages, high incarceration, unfair tax policy, unemployment, and lack of education. Marriage is under attack by clergy who proclaim monogamy yet think nothing of stepping outside the bonds of marriage to have multiple affairs with “preaching groupies.” Same-gender couples did not cause the high divorce rate, but our adolescent views of relationships and our inability as a community to come to grips with the ethic of love and commitment did. We still confuse sex with love and romance with commitment. My father, who is a veteran of the civil rights movement and retired pastor, eloquently stated the critical nature of this i iVÌ ÊÜ i Êëi> }ÊÌ Ê ÃÌiÀÃÊÌ ÃÊ«>ÃÌÊÜii ÊÜ ÊV > ÊÌ iÞÊÜ Ê«Õ ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊvÀ ÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊ ÃÊ « Ã Ì °Ê iÊÃÌ>Ìi`]ʺ"ÕÀÊ ViÃÌ ÀÃÊ«À>Þi`Êv ÀÊÎn ÊÞi>ÀÃÊÌ Ê« >ViÊ>Ê«iÀÃ Ê vÊV ÀÊ ÊÌ iÊ7 ÌiÊ ÕÃi°Ê/ iÞÊ i`Ê ÛiÀÊÓääÊ slave revolts, fought in 11 wars, one being a civil war where over 600,000 people died. Our mothers fought and were killed for women’s suffrage, our grandparents were lynched for the civil rights bill of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965… my father never had the opportunity to vote and I believe it is my sacred duty to pull the lever for every member of my family who was denied the right to vote. I will not allow narrow-minded ministers or regressive politicians the satisfaction of keeping me from my sacred right to vote to shape the future for my grandchildren.” º/ iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ ÃÊ ÌÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V Ê>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ̽ÃÊÜ À`ð» >ÞÊ> `Ê iÃL > ÊV Ì âi ÃÊ` `Ê ÌÊV>ÕÃiÊÌ iÊiV VÊVÀ>à ]Êv ÀiV ÃÕÀiÃ]Ê> `Ê>ÌÌ>V ÊÕ« Ê i> Ì ÊV>Ài°Ê* ÀÊÕ `iÀvÕ `i`Ê schools were not created because people desire equal protection under the law. We have much work to do as a community, > `ÊÌ ÊV > ÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ1 Ìi`Ê-Ì>ÌiÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ `ÊÞ ÕÀÊÌ i } V> Ê« Ã Ì Ê ÃÊ>LÃÕÀ`°Ê iÊ ÃÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ1 Ìi`Ê -Ì>ÌiÃÊ vÊ iÀ V>]Ê ÌÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ >«Ì ÃÌÊV Ûi Ì Ê ÀÊ Ã «Ê vÊÌ iÊ-> VÌ wi`Ê ÀÊ iÃÃÊ ÕÀV °Ê iÊ ÃÊV> i`Ê to protect the rights of Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, gay and straight, black and white, atheist and

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

>}Â˜ÂœĂƒĂŒÂˆV°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠLiĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvviĂ€i`ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŠÂ?i}ÂˆĂƒÂ?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠiĂ?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂœĂ€`iĂ€]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤĂ€iĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ>Ă€}ՓiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠLivÂœĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ -Ă•ÂŤĂ€i“iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒ°ĂŠ iĂŠĂƒÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂ?ĂžĂŠĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠVÂœÂ˜Ă›ÂˆVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜° If we dare steal away from the noise of this debate, we will realize as a church we are called to “do justice, live mercy, and walk humbly with God.â€? Gay people have never been the enemy; and when we use rhetoric to suggest they are the source of our problems we lie on God and cause tears to flow from the eyes of Christ. I am not asking you to change your position, but I am stating we must stay in dialogue and not allow our own personal emotional prejudices or doctrines to prevent us from seeing the possibilities of a beloved community. ÂœĂ›i“LiĂ€ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠv>ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>V…ˆ˜}]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â?Â?>ĂŠ >ÂŽiĂ€]ĂŠ-iÂŤĂŒÂˆÂ“>ĂŠ Â?>ÀŽi]ĂŠ >˜˜ˆiĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂŠ >““iĂ€]ĂŠ,ÂœĂƒ>ĂŠ*>Ă€ÂŽĂƒ]ĂŠ °ĂŠ*…ˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂŤĂŠ ,>˜`ÂœÂ?ÂŤÂ…]ĂŠ >“iĂƒĂŠ"Ă€>˜}i]ĂŠ i`}>ÀÊ Ă›iĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ ˆ˜}ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠĂƒĂŒ>˜`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠL>Â?VÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠÂ…i>Ă›iÂ˜ĂŠĂ€>ÂˆĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iʾÕiĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ “Will you do justice, live mercy, and walk humbly with our God?â€? Emmitt Till and the four little girls who were assassinated in Alabama during worship did not die for a Sunday sermonic sound bite to show disdain for one group of God’s people. They were killed by an evil act enacted by men who believed in doctrine over love. We serve in ministry this day because of >ʓ>Â˜ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠLiÂ?ˆiĂ›i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂ›iĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊ`ÂœVĂŒĂ€ÂˆÂ˜iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`ˆi`ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ…ÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠV>Â?Â?i`ĂŠ >Â?Ă›>Ă€ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠ`Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂžĂŠ*>Â?iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂ“]äääĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒĂŠ>}Âœ°ĂŠ Do not let the rhetoric of this debate keep you from the polls, my friends.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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TRUTH IS POWER " Ê Ì iÊ Ã `iÊ vÊ ÃÕ«« ÀÌ }Ê Ã> i ÃiÝÊ >ÀÀ >}i]Ê Ì iÊ Ài } Õà ÞÊ Õ >vw >Ìi`Ê ­ÇÓÊ«iÀVi Ì®Ê>ÀiÊ i`ÊLÞÊ > À Ì iÃÊ vÊ iÜÃÊ­ÇÈÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê iÀ V> ÃÊ>vw >Ìi`ÊÜ Ì Ê >Ê Õ`i À ÃÌ > ÊÀi } Ê­ÈÎÊ«iÀVi Ì®]ÊÜ ÌiÊ >Ì VÃÊ­xÈÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê Ã«> VÊ

>Ì VÃÊ­xÎÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê> `ÊÜ ÌiÊ > iÊ*À ÌiÃÌ> ÌÃÊ­xÓÊ«iÀVi Ì®°Ê/ }iÌ iÀ]ÊÌ iÃiÊ religious groups make up approximately 45 percent of the general population. *ÕL VÊ,i } Ê,iÃi>ÀV Ê ÃÌ ÌÕÌi ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê>Û> >L iÊ>ÌÊ ÌÌ«\ÉÉ iÜÜ>Þà ÃÌÀÞL }°Ü À`«ÀiÃðV ÉÓä£ÓÉäÓÉä É> >VÀ ÃÃ Ì i > ` Ài } Õà ÃÕ«« ÀÌ v À >ÀÀ >}i iµÕ> ÌÞ V Ì ÕiÃ Ì }À ÜÉ

Ê > À ÌÞÊ vÊ À ÃÌ > ÃÊ­xÓ¯®Ê «« ÃiÊÌ iÊ` ÃVÀ >Ì ÀÞÊ ivi ÃiÊ vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ VÌ° Õ > Ê, } ÌÃÊ > «> } Ê> `Ê Àii LiÀ}Ê+Õ > Ê, à iÀÊ,iÃi>ÀV Õ ÊÀi« ÀÌÊ>VViÃà L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ° ÀV° À}Éw iÃÉ>ÃÃiÌÃÉÀià ÕÀViÃÉ,i } * }Ó䣣 i °«`v

nÈ¯Ê vÊ À ÃÌ > ÃÊ Li iÛiÊ Ì i ÀÊ v> Ì Ê i>`ÃÊ Ì i Ê Ì Ê Ì iÊ V V ÕÃ Ê Ì >ÌÊ Ì iÊ >ÜÊ should treat all people equally, including LGBT people. Õ > Ê, } ÌÃÊ > «> } ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê>L ÕÌÊÌ iÊ« Ê>Û> >L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ° ÀV° À}ÉÀià ÕÀViÃÉi ÌÀÞÉÀi } « Ó䣣

Religious support of LGBT people helps to reduce the feelings of isolation, shame, and guilt that many LGBT adolescents and adults face and is likely to reduce the number of LGBT-related suicides. Addressing Religious Arguments to Achieve LGBT Equality: A Report by Faith in America Õ ÊÀi« ÀÌÊ>VViÃà L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ°v> Ì > iÀ V>° À}ÉÓä£ä ÓÉÜ« V Ìi ÌÉÕ« >`ÃÉÓä£äÉ££É Ú vÀ Ì },i } Õà À}Õ i Ìð«`v

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

FAITH PETITION IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY 7i]ÊÌ iÊÕ `iÀà } i`ÊqÊ«i « iÊ vÊv> Ì ÊvÀ Ê>ÊÛ>À iÌÞÊ vÊv> Ì ÊV Õ Ì iÃÊ>VÀ ÃÃÊ ÕÀÊÃÌ>ÌiÊqÊÃÌÀ } ÞÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊÌ iÊ Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. We dedicate our lives to fostering faith and values, and we work daily to promote love, justice, and fairness for all. Standing on these beliefs, we think that it is morally just Ì Ê}À> ÌÊiµÕ> ÊÀ } ÌÃÊ> `ÊÀië à L Ì iÃÊÌ Ê Û }]ÊV ÌÌi`ÊÃ> iÊÃiÝÊV Õ« iðÊ/ iÀiÊV> ÊLiÊ Ê ÕÃÌ wV>Ì Ê for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Some have misused the name of religion to justify slavery, to deny women the right to vote and deny marriage to ÌiÀÀ>V > ÊV Õ« iÃÊqÊ«i « iÊ vÊ} `Ü Êw `ÊÌ >ÌÊÕ V ÃV >L iÊÌ `>Þ°Ê7iÊ>VVi«ÌÊ ÕÀÊLÀ Ì iÀÃÊ> `Êà ÃÌiÀÃÊ> `Ê recognize that their relationships and families need equal recognition and protections. There are differences among our many religious traditions. Some recognize and bless same-sex unions and à iÊ` Ê Ì°Ê/ iÊ ÃÊ,i } ÕÃÊ Àii` Ê> `Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ > À iÃÃÊ VÌÊÀi>vwÀ ÃÊÌ iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ > Ê}Õ>À> ÌiiÊ that no religious denomination would be compelled or forced to solemnize any relationship that is outside its faith tradition. It gives equal civil recognition and protections to loving, committed couples. We agree that all ÃÊV Õ« iÃÊÃ Õ `Ê >ÛiÊÌ iÊÃ> iÊV Û Ê«À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ> `ÊÕÀ}iÊÞ ÕÊ>ÃÊ>Ê«ÕL VÊ vwV > ÊÌ ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊ i>ÃÕÀiÃÊÌ Ê achieve equality. The wide variety of sacred writings and traditions carry the message of love, justice and inclusion of all. The very basis of a marriage is to protect the family, strengthen our communities and emphasize compassion and love. No couple should be excluded from civil protections. We want to promote the common good -- what is best for individuals, couples, families, children, and society. As people of faith and citizens of Illinois, we ask you to stand for the freedom of all our citizens and support marriage equality. It’s not only a matter of equality - it’s a matter of conscience and justice.

/ Ê ÊÌ iÊ }Ê ÃÌÊ vÊà } >Ì À iÃÊ vÊÌ ÃÊ > Ì Ê*iÌ Ì ]ÊÌ Êi ` ÀÃiÊÌ iÊ,i } ÕÃÊ Àii` Ê> `Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ > À iÃÃÊ Act, or to discuss marriage equality further please contact Caroline Staerk, Equality Illinois Field Director. Equality Illinois ÎΣnÊ ÀÌ Ê > ÃÌi`Ê-ÌÀiiÌ Chicago, Illinois 60657 ÇÇÎ {ÇÇ Ç£ÇÎ cstaerk@eqil.org www.eqil.org v>ViL °V ÉiµÕ> ÌÞ Ã

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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Equality Illinois is the state’s oldest and largest organization securing, defending, and protecting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. www.EqualityIllinois.org ÎÇ£ÓÊ Ê À >`Ü>ÞÊ £Óx

V>} Ê ÊÈäȣΠÇÇΰ{ÇÇ°Ç£ÇÎ info@eqil.org v>ViL °V ÉiµÕ> ÌÞ Ã

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