Leaders of diverse religious communities released an open letter on April 23 to reaffirm their common belief in marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and their common commitment to religious freedom in this country. These two issuesâ??marriage and religious freedomâ??have become inextricably linked, as civil authorities and powerful lobby groups have demanded, ever more frequently and stridently, that people of faith deny or act against their convictions about the truth of marriage.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) submitted an amicus curiae brief with the Court in support of natural marriage, making the case for the constitutionality of statesâ?? defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. As the brief made clear, this definition is rooted in right reason, serves the common good, including the good of children, and in no manner reflects â??animusâ? or hatred. Many other religious groups let their beliefs be known to the Court as well, including some of the faith communities represented in the open letter. The implications and effects of the Supreme Courtâ??s decision on marriage, whatever it may be, will be extensive.
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