March 23, 2006

Dear Partners in Ministry,

Last year the Minneapolis Area Synod assembly passed a resolution opposing the proposal to put a referendum—commonly referred to as the “Gay Marriage” or “Defense of Marriage” amendment—before the voters of Minnesota. Recently the Roman Catholic bishops of the state went on record supporting such legislation. Even though we haven’t had a synod assembly action, I am often asked if I have any counsel regarding this proposal. Here’s what I think.

No one involved in pastoral work in the church questions that the estate of marriage needs all the bolstering it can get. Pastors conscientiously provide for pre-marriage counseling with couples who are often in a romantic swoon and quite far removed from reason! We clergy are often intimately involved in the pain of marriage break-up and its effect on kids, circles of friends, and the wider community. Other clergy and I know well the urgency and importance of strong, stable families and mature, responsible relationships as well as the rampant instability of family life in this culture.

Though the proposed legislation claims to address these concerns, in fact it does no such thing. Perhaps the legislation even distracts us from more pressing issues. It doesn’t bolster marriage and family life, but it does create obstacles for stable and long-lasting relationships between same gender couples who seek the same civil rights under the law as other adults. This legislation, in other words, does nothing to protect or strengthen heterosexual marriage, but it does remove certain civil rights from homosexual persons that are available to heterosexual persons.

The Christian tradition has always understood marriage as a life-long relationship between a man and a woman, based on Scripture and tradition. Some people are drawn to life-long, intimate relationships with persons of the same gender and will not be drawn to marriage with someone of the opposite gender. No marriage or marriage teaching, is threatened by the possibility of two persons of the same gender desiring to spend their life together in a stable, mature, loving relationship. Not a single male/female marriage will be strengthened by the proposed amendment. Nothing in society is made unstable by a gay couple who decides to spend their lives together. Marriage between a man and a woman is among the highest gifts God has given to humankind. We can and should be strong advocates for strengthening traditional marriage. But we can do that without removing from gay couples the same rights others enjoy. The proposed legislation removes from same-gender couples certain civil rights available to opposite-gender couples. It does nothing either theologically or sociologically to defend heterosexual marriage. It simply negates certain rights for same-gender relationships. It is civil law that is not just or fair.

Rather than give in to the anxiety of this cultural moment, I believe we would be well advised to observe the following:

• Leave religious bodies to teach religious doctrine and civil bodies to legislate civil law;

• Use our zeal to mount an assault on our culture’s celebration of sexual titillation and promiscuity;

• Take concrete steps to counter the stresses on the family, including our addiction to busyness and ambition that leads to frantic and fractured lives;

• Follow the unmistakable scriptural mandate to be advocates for the poor and the vulnerable, especially the children. Addressing child care, homelessness, early childhood education, health care, and living wage issues will do far more to stabilize the American family than removing civil rights from gay and lesbian persons.

I encourage lawmakers to set this ill-advised legislation aside. A referendum is both an abrogation of the responsibility of lawmakers to attend to the business of making fair and just laws, and a giving in to the emotion of the moment. And I encourage people in our churches to set about the important work of bringing health and stability to all families in this state, rich and poor alike.

A few reminders on upcoming events
I presume you’re well on your way to having those attending the assembly from your congregation registered. If not, it can be done online from the synod’s website or by using the form you received in the mail.

The Inviting leadership team is sponsoring “road shows” in each of the six conferences. Check our website www.spas-elca.org/aboutsynod/Calendar/calendar.htm for the times and places. These are great opportunities for your leaders, evangelism, hospitality, and  outreach.

May 18. Youth leaders Ascension Day breakfast, sponsored by the joint synod Children/Youth/Family steering committee. Note corrected date!

May 6. Walking the Talk of Welcome event sponsored by the joint synod Inclusivity Task Force, exploring welcoming, reconciling in Christ program. 

Details for these and many other events can be found on the synod website. 

I am thankful for you all!

Peter Rogness