Faith coalition supports Oklahoma marriage equality

~ Multidenominational faith leaders call for the state to recognize the freedom to marry ~

Oklahoma City, OK — Today, a coalition of 34 leading voices of Oklahoma’s religious community, representing congregations of Mennonites, Methodists, Episcopalians, Unitarians and Baptists, endorsed marriage equality in Oklahoma.

The group, which will continue to engage with supporters in Oklahoma’s faith community and is anticipated to grow in numbers, endorsed a statement declaring that “We stand for the freedom to marry. Our religious teachings and beliefs are grounded in love and acceptance of everyone and we believe our government should allow loving, same-sex couples to marry in Oklahoma.”

The support from Oklahoma’s religious community comes on the heels of last Thursday’s 10th District U.S. Court of Appeals Court oral arguments hearing on Oklahoma’s marriage equality case. A decision on the Oklahoma case and a similar one from Utah is expected within the next few months.

“As people of faith and as Oklahomans, we believe in loving our neighbors and treating one another as we would like to be treated - with dignity and respect,” the faith statement reads. Expanding marriage equality “will finally remove a long-standing obstacle to our pastoral care - and allow us to minister equally to all families in our community.”

Members and leaders of religious communities from across the state came together to push marriage equality forward in the state. Embracing the values of love, compassion and respect, the coalition members join a growing chorus of diverse Oklahomans who argue for the freedom to marry in the state.

Reverend Dr. Bruce Prescott, an ordained Baptist Pastor from Norman for the Oklahoma Faith Network, explained why he joined the coalition:

“Central to my faith is the affirmation of liberty of conscience. That conviction is the foundation for the right to religious liberty that is inscribed in the First Amendment of our Constitution. I believe in marriage equality because covenants of love, affection and fidelity are matters of personal conscience and conviction as informed by the diversity of faith commitments of those entering such covenants.”

Rev. Kelli Driscoll from Bethany Christian Church in Tulsa added

"My congregation celebrates equality for everyone. This is an article of faith for me and my church—that all couples should be allowed access to the same rights and recognition no matter who they are. Denying couples this fundamental right denies them the very presence of God within them that provides the spark for loving and strong relationships in the first place.”

Very Reverend Justin Lindstrom, dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral added:

“We all connect to God in our own, discernable ways. But God blesses us all with an undeniable empathy for others. After connecting with my congregation, members of my community and couples from across the state, it became increasingly clear that love and equality compels Oklahoma to extend freedom to marriage for all. That is why I am a proud member of the faith community who sees marriage equality as an imperative for the state.”

Full text of the letter and list of signatories below:

A Statement from Interfaith Leaders in Oklahoma

We, the undersigned clergy and religious leaders from across Oklahoma, draw upon our personal faith to support the freedom to marry in our state. 

We are leaders of various faith communities, who have lived and ministered closely with thousands of families through all of life's glory, tragedy, and tedium. Some of these families are headed by same-sex couples - they are our neighbors, co-workers, friends and peers.

As people of faith and as Oklahomans, we believe in loving our neighbors and treating one another as we would like to be treated - with dignity and respect. This means recognizing the love and commitment of lesbian and gay couples through marriage. Entering into a committed, loving relationship is one of life's most sacred and holy gifts.

Marriage means responsibility and hard work, but it also brings life-changing protections for a family.

We recognize that there is a diversity of views in the faith community. Every faith leader

will always be free to determine which marriages to bless or officiate and which to not. 

Marriage equality will not change that fundamental principal. However, for those of us who do lead welcoming and affirming faiths, it will finally remove a long-standing obstacle to our pastoral care - and allow us to minister equally to all families in our community,

We stand for the freedom to marry. Our religious teachings and beliefs are grounded in love and acceptance of everyone and we believe our government should allow loving, same-sex couples to marry in Oklahoma.

Signed,

Reverend Dr. Mark Davies Summit UMC, Edmond

Reverend Jim Eller Channing UU Church, Edmond

Reverend Dr. Allen Buck Summit UMC, Edmond

Reverend Don Heath Edmond Trinity Christian Church, Edmond

Reverend Mary Heath Edmond Trinity Christian Church, Edmond

Reverend Chris Moore Fellowship Congregational UCC, Edmond

Reverend Paul Caulkin Newcastle United Methodist Church, Newcastle

Reverend Warren Jensen Interim Pastor United Church of Norman, Norman

Reverend Dr. Bruce Prescott Oklahoma Faith Network, Norman

Reverend Jeni Markham Clewell St. Stephen's UMC, Norman

Reverend Lori Walke Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, Oklahoma City

Reverend Dr. Robin Meyers Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, Oklahoma City

The Very Rev. Justin Lindstrom Saint Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Oklahoma City

Reverend Jonalu Johnstone First Unitarian Church, Oklahoma City

Reverend Mark Christian First Unitarian Church, Oklahoma City

Reverend James Stovall The Meditation Institute, Oklahoma City

Reverend Neil Coffman Expressions Church, Oklahoma City

Reverend Donna Compton Church of the Open Arms UCC Oklahoma City

Emma Eastwind Labryrinth Temple, Oklahoma City

Pastor Zachary Gleason Joy Mennonite Church, Oklahoma City

Pastor Susan Ross Pawnee First UMC, Pawnee

Reverend Cathey Edwards Hope Unitarian Church, Tulsa

Reverend Kathy McCallie Phillips Theological Siminary, Tulsa 

Reverend Leslie Penrose Fellowship Congregational UCC, Tulsa

Reverend Marlin Lavanhar All Souls Church Tulsa

Reverend Tamera Lebak All Souls Church, Tulsa

Reverend Debra Garfinkel Church of the Restoration UU, Tulsa

Professor Brandon Scott Phillips Theological Seminary - Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Tulsa

Reverend Dr. John Imbler Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa

Reverend Bob Lawrence Open Table UCC/Tulsa Interfaith, Owasso/Tulsa

Reverend Kelli Driscoll Bethany Christian Church, Tulsa

Reverend Nancy Eggen United Campus Ministry at the University of Tulsa, Tulsa

Dr. Lisa Davison, Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa

Reverend Sonja Tobey First UMC, Vinita

FreedomOklahoma.org

The Gayly - April 28, 2014 @ 12:15pm