A joint letter signed by 39 religious leaders from a variety of religious backgrounds was released this week in support of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. The letter, “Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together”, is a strong statement affirming the traditional definition of marriage; it dismisses the argument that only a few religions object to homosexual marriage; it details how approval of same-sex marriage affects society; and it expresses how acceptance of same sex marriage impinges on existing human rights such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
As religious leaders across a wide variety of faith communities, we join together to affirm that marriage in its true definition must be protected for its own sake and for the good of society. We also recognize the grave consequences of altering this definition. One of these consequences—the interference with the religious freedom of those who continue to affirm the true definition of “marriage”—warrants special attention within our faith communities and throughout society as a whole. For this reason, we come together with one voice in this letter.
Among the signatories were four Catholic bishops including the head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan.
