AGAINST H8TE

A frequent argument against homosexuality and gay marriage is that it goes against religious precepts. While that may be true in some religions, it is NOT a universal belief.

From BuddhaNet Magazine: Homosexuality and Theravada Buddhism by A. L. De Silva

"Buddhism teaches to, and expects from, its followers a certain level of ethical behaviour. The minimum that is required of the lay Buddhist is embodied in what is called the Five Precepts (panca sila), the third of which relates to sexual behaviour. Whether or not homosexuality, sexual behaviour between people of the same sex, would be breaking the third Precept is what I would like to examine here. "

From the Buddhist Channel: Sexuality and the Buddha by Gary Daubney

"Another important point within Buddhism is that it has no sacraments as such, and marriage is not a sacred bond, as in many theistic religions such as Christianity, but is a social contract. Buddhists do not marry 'before the Buddha', unlike Christians who marry before God. As personally experienced, in Thailand to this day there are two important elements to a traditional marriage, the first involving bhikkhus who bless the forth-coming marriage ceremony, and then the ceremony itself. It is the latter that constitutes the actual marriage, and is conducted after the monks have already left the premises."

From www.uua.org: Ordination in the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations "is open to men and women, heterosexual and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people"

"In addition to blessing heterosexual unions, Unitarian Universalist congregations and ministers welcome the opportunity to bless same-sex marriages, even in the states where they are not yet legally recognized."

From LifeSiteNews.com: Episcopal Bishops Join Effort to Defeat True Marriage in California

"...the bishops of the Episcopal Church in California have joined the ranks of those working against Proposition 8. All six bishops in the state will officially protest the traditional marriage amendment, according to the Sacramento Bee. The Right Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Episcopal Bishop of California, will hold a press conference at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral on Wednesday to represent the church's position, "calling for compassion, love and equal protections" for homosexual couples."

From the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing: More than 2,200 ordained clergy have endorsed the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality.

"Clergy and religious leaders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and representing more than 50 different faith traditions, have called for full marriage rights for same-sex couples. "

"As religious leaders, we are committed to promoting the well-being and moral and spiritual integrity of persons and society. Today, we are called to join the public discussion about marriage equality. There are strong civil liberties arguments for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from the legal institution of marriage. Here we invite you to consider religious foundations for securing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Marriage equality is about more than gaining equal access to the legal protections and responsibilities of marriage. It raises fundamental questions about justice and power, intimate relationships, sexuality and gender, respect for diverse families, and the role of religion as well as the state in these matters. "

From ucc.org: The United Church of Christ expresses it's solidarity with the LGBT community in California

"We stood with you in saying no to Proposition 8 and we will continue to stand with you, both in disappointment and resolve, until marriage equality is realized,"

(I will be adding links to this topic as I find them)