Jewish Religion supporting Marriage for Gays and Lesbians
When I read anything about those suggesting or demanding that they use their faith to change their sexual and romantic orientation because religion does not validate homosexuality, I always point out that, being Jewish, that is not true for me.
In Michigan we are about to have a proposal voted on to ban marriage for gays. We already have DOMA which bans gay marriage and yet we are one of many states to have proposal two which would be a state constitutional ammendment. I am always amazed when people use religion against gays. Being a Jew, I know that Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism states marriage for gays and lesbians is valid.
I want to post this information which comes from Michigan Jewish
Community Council. What I love about Wayne Besen’s position on the
ex-gay movement is that using religion as a basis to "convert" from gay
to straight does not apply to Jews as he writes so well about in his
book, "Anything But Straight".
Here is what was released to oppose any support to ban marriage for
Gays and Lesbians. I think it applies to why oppose the ex-gay movement
as well.
On October 9, 2004, the Jewish Community Council publicly announced
its vote to oppose Proposal 2, which will be decided by Michigan voters
in November. The Jewish Community Council (JCC) represents Jews from
all the denominations of Judaism who take a variety of different and
sometimes opposing religious and political positions. The overwhelming
consensus of the JCC board of directors was that passage of Proposal 2
would enshrine discrimination in the Michigan Constitution. Below are
some of the reasons why Jews from all perspectives and sides of the
political aisle oppose Proposal 2. a discriminatory amendment to our
state constitution would set a frightening precedent for Jews.
Proposal 2 obstructs Rabbinic Discourse.
Rabbis and leaders from all denominations of Judaism are currently
taking a long and sober look at previously unaddressed issues
surrounding gay and lesbian rights. The Reform and Reconstructionist
movements have already endorsed same sex marriage. The Conservative
movement is engaged in profound and painstaking deliberations and
halachic discourse on this subject, and numerous Orthodox leaders have
called for increased compassion and understanding towards gays and
lesbians.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis of the Reform Movement
endorses the affirmation of same gender couples through appropriate
Jewish ritual, based upon resolutions in support of civil marriage for
gays and lesbians.
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association "opposes all efforts to ban civil marriage for gay men and lesbian women."
The Social Action Committee of the Conservative Movement "supports full equality for gays and lesbians in national life".
Proposal 2 ignores the Torah’s pursuit of justice.
The Torah teaches us to fight injustice. Over the centuries, Jews
have fought for the underprivileged, the oppressed, women, the
handicapped, and gays and lesbians. Two thousand years ago the rabbis
dared to reinterpret statutes in the Torah in the interest of
underlying Jewish values. In extending Deuteronomy’s injunction tzedek
tzedek tirdof (justice, justice shall you pursue) to more and more of
humanity, we are intensifying the work of Tikkun Olam.
Proposal 2 would write discrimination into the State Constitution.
For the first time, the Constitution would be used to single out a
group of people for unequal treatment under the law. The
Constitutionally protected separation of church and state, which has
guaranteed Jews a place of dignity and protection under the law, is
being eroded.
What’s bad for gays is bad for Jews.
Homosexuals were targeted in Nazi Germany with the same blind hate
aimed at Jews. When we perpetuate a climate of hatred, we become the
objects of hatred. Both the Jewish people and the values we carry are
most likely to flourish in a world that recognizes the worth and
dignity of all human beings. In the words of Rabbi David Ellenson, the
President of Hebrew Union College:
The desire that full rights be extended to lesbians and gays
reflects the Jewish belief that gays and lesbians are human beings
created in the image of God. The time has come for that truth to guide
our culture, and religious Jews should not be hesitant in saying so.
Until the day arrives that our gay and lesbian friends enjoy full
rights, we who are religious should not rest. When that day of liberty
and freedom arrives, justice will at long last roll down like waters
and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Surely you’re kidding ? For any practicing
Jew to claim that your religion in any way stands up for the rights of homosexuals of either gender is completely ridiculous. As for the Torah, do you mean all the verses that state
homosexual behavior is an abomination punishable
by DEATH ? The ancient Hebrews were homophobes
to the point of killing them ( God said to pick up stones and bash their brains in, remember ? )
Well, you have at least shown that historical
revisionism isn’t limited to Neo-Nazis or Japanese history textbook writers.
SHALOM !
im christian and im not supposed to be for gays and lesbians being married or being couples. I like that your religion accepts that. I get lectured that its not right but for some reason i think its ok even though its against my religion. We have no control over what people want to be its none of our buiness. If thats what makes them happy then so be it.
Tally, how is it against your religion? Do you realize that there are many Christians that are not against homosexuality because of their faith?
because god does not think its right for same sex couples to get married. i do realize that there are many christians that are not against homosexuality because iam one of them. Im not saying im gay but i have alot of friends who are and i resoect their decision. As i said before as long as they are happy then so be it.
Tally, are you saying that gay couples “living in sin” by having sex outside of marriage is preferable to legalizing gay marriage? (Which, thanks to the separation of church and state, will not in any way force churches to perform gay wedding ceremonies. There are already plenty of churches willing to perform same-sex weddings anyway.)
Thanks, Tally.
It’s nice to know that somebody has a direct pipeline to God and can tell us what He thinks.
Homosexuality is unnatural and disgusting PERIOD.
Queers have taken over the name “gay” which used to mean something totally different. The gay “movement” has spread diseases. If Jews are so worried about “social justice” let them stop the usuary! I won’t hold my breath waiting!
I do not hate Jews or queers, but I do not and will not give respect to what I consider wrong and deviant behavior-period!.
I do not “respect” queers and I do not have to.
All religio is for profit, prophet and to control the masses. The “New Test a men t” is truly named for they change it whenever they wish.
Moslems who think their book has never been changed are likewise deluded.
All language is nothing but code and symbol.
Learn, educate yourselves. The Roman Katolique (Catol i que) Kirk(Church) has “disclaimers” if you only look for them. They are totally supported by begging (and crimes) called “Peter’s Pence’. The Pope and all associated with him are big, fat FRAUDS. The same goes for the MOhammadans and all the rest-it is a tax free ruse.
But, homosexuality, stealing, murdering, etc. is still WRONG!
thanks raj.
i respect all of your opinons about what i think
Chronos no that is not what i m saying. some churches if it isnt against what they beleive in can give weddings for same sex couples. Baptist like at my church would never give marriage for that. If people want to get married they should if a church wouldnt let that happen someone legally could marry them outside of church. It could be in a bar or house or outside. as long as they are married same sex couples wouldnt care that a church wouldnt marry them.
As a practicing Torah Jew I can safely say homosexual marriage is not accepted as valid by orthodox Judaism nor are homosexual acts. I appreciate the writer stated that it is Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism (which, along with Conservative Judaism, are not recognised as adhering to Jewish law due to their desire to reinterpet based on human desires) that mainly espouse these views, but he seems to create a chain that reform accept gay marriage, conservative are strugggling with it and othodox are showing compassion which would imply they are also supportive of gay marriage, but showing compassion does not involve endorsing gay marriage.
As a Jew trying to work on myslef in this world to overcome homosexual desires (this is not easy!), I stick to the authoritative Jewish position that people are not born gay. I do not deny that certain genetic or chemical abnormalities MAY contribute to being prone to wanting to involve oneself with homosexual acts.
I also believe that people should be compassionate to those people who have homosexual desires, but being accepting and compassionate of that person does not mean being accepting of their homosexual acts.
I just wanted to set the record straight. The religion that ‘supports’ this man’s homosexual desires is not Judaism.
Rob,
My partner and I were married by a Reform Jewish Rabbi and our Jewish Newspaper–The Detroit Jewish New–announces gay and lesbian marriages. The Jewish News reports on all sectors of Jewish life not just Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist. All of it. One paper, one religion. This is becoming the norm around the country. Reform and Reconstructivist Judaism are absolutely included in Jewish Religion. To deny that is prejudice.
Have you seen Trembling Before G-d? You should. It shows why we need more than compassion. Orthodox Judaism serves to break up families with gay and lesbian children and ruin lives simply because of a different sexual and romantic orientation. This is ignorance. They are stuck in a time warp and it is unfortunate.
Orthodox Jews seem to have forgotten what discrimination is like and what happens to those who are told to “change” who they are inside. Being gay is the same thing. I do not wish to be anything other than gay. That is who I am. TWICE BLESSED–GAY AND JEWISH. Please do not divide us. We are both Jews, just different philosophies of what being Jewish is.
I am sorry for your struggles and that our religion tries to divide you and I simply because of which part of Judaism we belong to.
I pray for you and what you are going through trying to be “not” be gay and the prejudice of our people. It is sad.
Warmly, Joe Kort
Yeesh,
My rabbi is a woman, so is the cantor at my temple. Well, if faith communities have gotten over the idea of excluding women from important offices and understanding that homosexuality is an immutable factor of human life-well then PROGRESS.
Has anyone see the Casini pictures of Titan, the moon of Saturn that might be like our beloved Terra was billions of years ago?
Sometimes we must ask ourselves not what Jesus or Moses or Abraham would do.
But what would Mr. Spock do.
I love astronomy!
And rockets and all that…
Wake me up when women are Pope.
Frankly, I think the emancipation of women and gay people will be the era when peace will reign on Earth.
There’s something very, very special in the chronic repression in all the world of women and homosexuals.
Wonder why those two groups are the most fearful in the world?
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it interesting that a large percentage of men who are anti gay are not anti lesbian?
Joe Kort Spewed:
Orthodox Judaism serves to break up families with gay and lesbian children and ruin lives simply because of a different sexual and romantic orientation. This is ignorance. They are stuck in a time warp and it is unfortunate.
REUVEN:
Yeah, we’ve heard it all before you spewed this nonsense…The FACT is, if you want to toss out Torah, you’re an apostate Jew.
You are a liar however. Orthodox Judaism does NOT, in any way,serve “to break up families with gay and lesbian children.” What we DO try to do is bring Jews, apostates like yourself, to Torah observance. It is what you are commanded to do whether you agree with Torah or not.
You’ve obviously chosen NOT to fulfill mitzvot and thus, are karet. I pray for you and those Jews like you, who think Torah has dried up and died.
Reuven,
If you want to post, please lose the personal insults and attitude.
David Roberts