ACTION ALERT
Senate subcommittee O.K.'s religious interpretation of civil marriage
Nov. 9, 2005 - The Senate Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights voted 5-4 (see below) to approve without modification a constitutional marriage amendment (S.J. Res. 1). If approved, this amendment will impose a religious standard on the civil marriage contract. The proposed amendment states that "Marriage in the United States shall consist of a man and a woman." The legislation would also prohibit state legislatures from making their own determinations on marriage, and civil unions, for same-sex couples in the future.
Many proponents of changing the U.S. Constitution to specifically exclude same-sex marriage explain that, "God didn't make Adam and Steve; He made Adam and Eve." They cite biblical support for their version of who civil marriage rights should be open to. The Secular Coalition for America opposes the use of religious doctrine to specifically define CIVIL marriage rights.
Currently, religious entities may choose to join same-sex couples, even in states where such a union is not legally recognized, as part of their free exercise of religion. In states in which same-sex marriage is legal (currently only Massachusetts), religious entities may choose not to join same-sex couples as part of that same free exercise. The Secular Coalition for America supports the free exercise of religion as concerns performing religious marriage ceremonies. We oppose crafting civil marriage contractual rights on the basis of theology. Civil marriage is the legal document which confers numerous specific legal rights and benefits.
The Subcommittee members who approved the legislation were: Sam Brownback (R-KS), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Tom Coburn (R-OK); opposed were: Russ Feingold (D-WI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Richard Durbin (D-IL).
The Judiciary Committee members are: Chair, Arlen Specter (R-PA); Ranking Member, Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Joseph Biden (D-DE); Sam Brownback (R-KS); Tom Coburn (R-OK); John Cornyn (R-TX); Mike DeWine (R-OH); Richard Durbin (D-IL); Russ Feingold (D-WI); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Charles Grassley (R-IA); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Edward Kennedy (D-MA); Herbert Kohl (D-WI); Jon Kyl (R-AZ); Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and, Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Take a Stand: This legislation is now in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. If your member of Congress sits on this committee (see below) urge them to oppose S.J. Res. 1 the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment.
You can contact your Senators through their websites or through the Legislator/Media Lookup by Zip Code.