Almost 40 American religious leaders have collectively issued an open letter warning about the threat to religious freedom posed by the potential legalisation of same-sex marriage in the US.
The letter, which includes contributions from evangelical, Catholic and Jewish leaders, warns that the introduction of homosexual marriages would end up “pressuring both individuals and religious organisations - throughout their operations, well beyond religious ceremonies - to treat same-sex sexual conduct as the moral equivalent of marital sexual conduct.”
The letter, entitled “Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together”, noted that: “There is no doubt that the many people and groups whose moral and religious convictions forbid same-sex sexual conduct will resist the compulsion of the law, and church-state conflicts will result”.
The signatories, many of whom represent Pentecostal, Anglican and conservative Baptist denominations, argue that the loss of religious liberty was the “most urgent peril” linked to any future laws which attribute marital status to same-sex couples, noting that religious adoption agencies have already been forced to place children in the care of homosexual couples against their beliefs.
The letter further highlights that anyone who expresses a genuine opposition to homosexual behaviour was automatically marked as a “bigot” and subjected to “the full arsenal of government punishments” which were generally “reserved for racists”.
The signatories warn that whilst marriage and religious freedom were “deeply woven into the fabric of this nation”, both were now at a “crisis point” in light of the push for increased rights for homosexuals. The letter urges Americans to defend marriage “in its true definition”, as the sole union between one man and one woman.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“Religious liberty is being undermined both in the US and in the UK at a fast pace. UK courts have promoted the protection of sexual orientation as a higher right than the protection of religious belief. This has led to a number of Christians losing their jobs after refusing to compromise their beliefs at work, and some even being stopped from fostering children.
“If homosexual marriage is introduced into UK law as the Prime Minister intends, then the situation is likely to get worse, and there could be very serious consequences for orthodox Christians and for churches that want to hold onto biblical beliefs.”
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