2 of 9

"There are a lot of middle-of-the-road Catholics and middle-of-the-road Protestants who aren't over there with the Religious Right but who take their faith very seriously and who are open to appeal," Prof. John C. Green of the University of Akron told The Times. People of faith are concerned about the environment, the poor, corporate ethics, and the war in Iraq. And they may be willing to vote against Republicans because of their faith. However, Kerry's assurances that he is a man of faith while criticizing another man because of his faith make it difficult for people of faith to believe him.

Now, back to gay marriage. Polls suggest that while many oppose same-sex marriage, many also oppose an amendment banning it. Kerry says he and Bush have "fundamentally" the "same position." Bush's faith (not to mention his evangelical base) helped him to decide to support the Federal Marriage Amendment.

So how does Kerry's faith inform his policy? Kerry opposes the amendment, but what does he support? Leaving it to states to ban same-sex marriage, as he has suggested, does not seem like a workable solution if couples married in one state move to a state that doesn't recognize same-sex marriage. If Kerry's actions regarding same-sex marriage mirror his actions on stem-cell research, it will be hard for people of faith, concerned about traditional marriage, to take his "same position" comments seriously.

If Kerry could connect "his agenda to a deeper moral conviction," in a way that supports traditional marriage, he just might be able to take a major "wedge issue" away from the Republicans. By supporting civil unions or in some official way distinguishing marriage between a man and a woman, Kerry could court traditional-marriage-supporting voters who don't like the Federal Marriage Amendment. That is, if he takes seriously The Times advice and does in fact have the "same position" as Bush.

Same-sex marriage:

• Same-sex marriage, an issue to bring Americans together | When people ask me why I am not married, I tell them jokingly that it's against my religion. But all jokes aside, it sort of is, or at least I thought so. You see, I am an atheist. Why I can't believe in God I will save for another time. The point is, why would I want to get married if I had no religion? (Nicholas Malin-Adams, Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Ind.)
• Dobson speaks against gay marriage, falls off stage | After his speech, Dobson fell off the six-foot-high stage and had to have five stitches for a gash above his right ankle. (The Advocate, gay magazine)
• Federal lawyers argue in favour of gay marriage | Federal lawyers asked the Supreme Court of Canada Wednesday to support the government's proposed legislation on same-sex marriage, saying it's a matter of equality for gays in Canada. (CTV, Canada)
• Ballot wars over same-sex marriage | Initiatives in 11 states, from Oregon to Ohio, are dividing electorates and shaping the Bush-Kerry race. (Christian Science Monitor)
• Conservatives win gay marriage battle | Gay marriages and openly gay clergy have no place in the Anglican Church after the General Synod yesterday affirmed its fierce opposition to liberal elements that have exposed deep divisions in the church. (Advertiser, Australia)
• Forging a pro-gay, pro-life alliance | Science is perilously close to where sexual orientation could be among the genetic traits that parents could "select." This should be a wakeup call for gays and lesbians worried about "our" future generations. It also demands outside-the-comfort-zone vigilance by pro-lifers who claim to believe in the fundamental right of every child to be born. Gays, lesbians and pro-lifers should be natural allies in protecting life. (Brian O'Leary Bennett, San Francisco Chronicle)

next page... |  2 of 9

share this page

October (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48