SOME GOOD CHRISTIANS

Drive is on to ban gay marriage

Religious leaders split, ready to do battle on ballot proposal
By Stephanie Innes and Howard Fischer
ARIZONA DAILY STAR CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/75481.php

Local religious leaders on both sides of the gay marriage debate will step into the spotlight today as the battle lines are drawn over a proposed ballot initiative that would prohibit same-sex couples from legally marrying in Arizona.
While clerics and others supporting the initiative cite Scripture as a basis for the petition drive, critics from the faith community say the proposal is the work of extremists who have co-opted Christianity.
Later today, at least 30 clerics will gather at Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, 122 N. Craycroft Road, to mobilize opposition to the proposal.
"I think it is a very serious justice issue," said the Rev. Gordon McBride of Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. "I think we have passed legislation throughout history penalizing minorities. The tyranny of the majority is well-established, and it is usually fear-based."
Critics, including McBride, say the Bible does not denounce homosexuality or same-sex marriage, nor is marriage a foundation of Christianity.
"I would say this effort is just simply and straightforward an act of prejudice and a discriminatory action against people who should have equal civil rights," he said of the petition drive. "It's a control issue - how to control people and their behavior."
Opponents of the amendment are working closely with Wingspan, Tucson's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community center, and the larger Arizona Coalition for Fairness, which was formed in direct response to proposals that would prohibit gays and lesbians from marrying.
"A lot of people in the faith community feel their Christian values have been co-opted by the Center for Arizona Policy," said Jess Knutson, public policy and advocacy coordinator for Wingspan. "I think that with our grass-roots mobilization we will defeat this, but I am worried about the misinformation. I think most reasonable people recognize domestic partner benefits, and this amendment would take those rights away."