"Prayers Of Justice" Rise Up From Bay-State Churches, Synagogues;Defend Civil Rights of Gay/Lesbian

releases.usnewswire.com ^

[chance33_98]

"Prayers Of Justice" to Rise Up From Bay-State Churches, Synagogues; Communities of Faith Defend Civil Rights of Gay and Lesbian Families

3/3/04 7:00:00 AM

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To: State Desk, Religion Reporter

Contact: Josh Friedes, 617-821-7206, Brad Reichard, 617-470-8265, both of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry

BOSTON, March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to send a message of unity and support for the constitutionally-protected right of same-sex couples to marry, more than 500 religious leaders across the Commonwealth are mobilizing their congregations to "Pray for Justice" and take action to inform elected officials about the broad support within many religious communities for same sex marriage, and the wide-spread opposition to the passage of any constitutional amendment that would write discrimination in to the Massachusetts State Constitution.

"We as religious leaders in the Commonwealth have a long tradition of mobilizing our congregations to protect and preserve the Civil Rights of individuals, and this weekend's Pray for Justice activities will mark another chapter in our long-standing fight for justice and equal protection of all individuals and families under the law," stated Devon Lerner, chair of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry.

"Our tradition teaches us to embrace and celebrate justice, which is why we are participating in the upcoming Pray for Justice effort," explained the Reverend Terry Fitzgerald, Pastor United Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (UCC), Worcester. "Our congregation is committed to making a difference for next week's vote, and we are proud to be among the hundreds of congregations across the Commonwealth that will pray for justice this weekend."

This Pray for Justice Weekend, slated to begin at sunset on Friday, March 5th and conclude at sundown on Sunday, March 7th is designed to enable religious leaders to empower their congregants to act on what many feel is sense of urgent obligation to defend the civil rights and equal legal protection of gay and lesbian families. In cities and towns across Massachusetts, Jews, Christians and many other faith communities will participate in a variety of activities urging elected state officials to vote "no" on an anti-gay amendment including:

-- Friday evening and Saturday / Sunday morning sermons dedicated to exploring the religious tenants of justice and equality that uphold the spirit of the SJC's ruling and are contrary to proposed amendments that take rights away from individuals and families.

-- Participating in the MassEquality.org candlelight prayer vigils specifically dedicated to show communities' high level of support

-- Letter writing, phone banking, post card and email advocacy initiatives that let elected officials know that religious people of conscious from across the Commonwealth support civil rights for gay and lesbian families.

-- Encouraging one on one talks with friends, family members and loved ones about the need to contact their legislators about the importance of preserving the rights and protections recently granted to same-sex couples by the Massachusetts SJC.

Comprised of clergy and faith leaders from 18 different faith traditions including United Church of Christ, Episcopal, Reform Reconstructionist Judaism and the Unitarian Universalist Associations, The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry (RCFM) supports civil marriage rights for same gender couples and seeks to promote dialogue within faith communities about religious marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Since its founding in 1997, the RCFM mobilized more than 550 religious leaders from across Massachusetts to sign the "Massachusetts Declaration of Religious Support for the Freedom of Same Gender Couples to Marry." This action has become the model for similar initiatives across the nation.

[madprof98]

I wonder if any of these people ever go to church . . . I mean, except for letter-writing and phone-a-thon sessions?

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - How does God answer prayers for support of behavior that He condemns?

[NYer]

Comprised of clergy and faith leaders from 18 different faith traditions

Apparently their "faith" tradition does not include the Bible.

[joesnuffy]

The United Church of Luciferians

[King Black Robe]

Justice would mean that representative government was restored to Massachusetts as guaranteed them by the U.S. Constitution Article IV Section 4 "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.."

[SavageRepublican]

City of the Damned ping.

rface, thanks for getting me out of that horrible place

[SavageRepublican]

City of the Damned ping.

rface, thanks for getting me out of that horrible place

[Gorzaloon]

In an effort to send a message of unity and support for the constitutionally-protected right of same-sex couples to marry, more than 500 religious leaders across the Commonwealth are mobilizing their congregations to "Pray for Justice

Hmph.

"And now, schooled in His Infernal Ordinance, we make bold to Pray, Lord Satan, come forth from the Abyss by these names:..."

[FormerLib]

Do they really want God's justice visited upon those who He has called an "abomination?"

[johnb2004]

"Our tradition teaches us to embrace and celebrate justice, which is why we are participating in the upcoming Pray for Justice effort," explained the Reverend Terry Fitzgerald, Pastor United Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (UCC), Worcester. "Our congregation is committed to making a difference for next week's vote, and we are proud to be among the hundreds of congregations across the Commonwealth that will pray for justice this weekend."

Empty words from empty minds.

[LTCJ]

Do they really want God's justice visited upon those who He has called an "abomination?"

Exactly. God is no less just than He is love. This fact is sorely ignored by these people.

A call for justice coming from them is not a prayer, it is a taunting of the Creator.

What is the burst radius of a lightning bolt, anyway?

[Iron Matron]

For the sake of argument, let's say their "prayers for justice" are answered.

Do they understand that God is not an 8-ball? The answer one receives from prayer is not always the answer one wants. Hopefully, their prayers will get the DESERVED answer.

[Libertina]

Exactly what reigion ARE these people? "Go and sin no more." Not "Go & keep on sinning."

[johnb2004]

Anytime I see the words "celebrate" or "make a difference" a red flag goes up. More often than not, it means the demonic left wing is near.

[Mears]

Also any groups with "peace","justice",and even "wellness" makes my skin crawl.

[Iron Matron]

I almost spoke of the left-wing as "demonic", but thought it sounded a bit hysterical. No offense to you my FRiend, thanks for calling it as it is! Now I wont feel so insane when I speak of Demonic-Dems.

Kind of catchy I think.

[johnb2004]

Well, anyone who promotes perverted sexual acts is not following the Holy Spirit. It is either the human spirit or the evil spirit. Either way, it is no good.

[AmishDude]

By expanding marriage, we are actively discriminating against people who choose to be single -- if we want to play the discrimination game.

[NutCrackerBoy]

For me, homosexuals "marrying" was thrown in my face by my small Massachusetts town newspaper maybe two years ago. The editor, without warning or fanfare, simply wrote that a well-known local woman had married another person who had a female name. When I wrote to the editor bemoaning that he had "leaped into the breach", he seemed taken aback. (He either was taken aback or was feigning it).

There were two points:
1. I convinced him that he was out of step since not even the New York Times or Boston Globe ever used the word "marriage" in connection with homosexual couples.
2. To my complaint that this was an affront to religious people, he countered blithely that religious groups were all for gay marriage.

That surprised me. Of course, it is true that there are loads of ultra-liberals in Massachusetts and they do have churches where they spout new-age babble. But this left-wing website (a sort of mirror image of newsmax.com) just like the Boston Globe and the editor I exchanged emails with act as if it is the consensus position of churches.