Clergy from several religious traditions voiced their support for domestic partnerships on the steps of the City and County Building on Thursday, adding to an intense faith-based discussion that spills over into the political culture wars.
“My faith calls me to love others as I am loved – love as an action, not a feeling,” said the Rev. Betty Bradford of Denver’s Highlands United Methodist Church. “I am called to do all in my power to secure the same rights of citizenship for every member of society. Jesus’ command to love others as we are loved has religious and political implications for us today.”
Bradford and about two dozen others from Christian and Jewish denominations pledged support for Referendum I, which would sanction civil unions. The campaign backing Referendum I has mailed 4,000 informational packets to clergy statewide.
Another measure on the November ballot, Amendment 43, would effectively ban gay marriage. Colorado stands as the first state to offer such a two-pronged decision on same-sex relationships.
As many voters turn to their faith for guidance on sometimes-difficult moral choices, clergy on both sides of the issue have been urged to rally their congregations.
Generally, evangelical Christian and Roman Catholic leaders have embraced marriage amendments that effectively prohibit gay marriage. Church volunteers proved critical to gathering the signatures that put Amendment 43 on the ballot.
Those groups also largely have opposed domestic partnerships.
Some of the state’s more liberal religious coalitions, such as the Colorado Council of Churches and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, have backed Referendum I.
It’s not surprising that same-sex issues would pit Christians against Christians, said the Rev. Richard Cizik, Washington, D.C.-based vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals.
“A lot of believers within the mainline Protestant community have adopted a different view toward the morality of homosexuality that influences their understanding of domestic partnerships,” Cizik said. “There used to be consensus within Christendom on these issues. There still is within evangelical Christianity, but not within the larger umbrella of Christians, because some have adopted definitions we as evangelicals don’t accept.”
Clergy at Thursday’s rally said they’re out to balance booming conservative voices that have dominated faith aspects of the debate on same-sex issues. They pointed out that modern biblical interpretation can reconcile religious faith and social justice.
“I don’t think the Scriptures conflict – I think sometimes our interpretations can be too literal,” said the Rev. Benjamin Reynolds, senior pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Colorado Springs. “At the same time, we make no concessions for where we are in the world, our culture, the context in which we live.”
One local scholar suggests that there’s a large “moveable middle” within the faith-based community but that the issues have been so politicized that discussion creates only more hostility.
“Once we stop politicizing issues for the purpose of getting votes, Christians of goodwill begin to wrestle with biblical text,” said Miguel A. De La Torre, associate professor of social ethics at Iliff School of Theology. “Then we’ll move closer to areas where we can have better dialogue, learn from each other and begin to develop a more just response to this issue. I’m hoping it’s not far in the future.”
Staff writer Kevin Simpson can be reached at 303-954-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com.
