Marriage fight divides state's Catholics (Minnesota)

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | August 18, 2012 | ROSE FRENCH

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***Those who oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage are organizing, putting them at odds with bishops.***

[BIG SNIP]

......Groups of lay Catholics and former priests have spoken out against the bishops' campaign. Some parents and students also have criticized the church's move to talk about marriage in [archdiocesan] high schools. Active Catholics have met in Protestant churches to talk about how to defeat the amendment.

Catholics and other faith groups have held meetings in their homes, like the one at Burg's house, where representatives for the anti-amendment Minnesotans United for All Families encourage them to hold conversations with friends and family.

Kate Brickman, a spokeswoman for the group, said anti-amendment Catholics feel like they have to meet in their homes and other non-Catholic spaces because bishops aren't tolerant of their views.

While Catholic leadership has supported similar marriage amendments in other states, it's been particularly "ardent" in Minnesota, according to Laura Olson, a political science professor at Clemson University, who's written about marriage amendments.

Olson said bishops may believe the amendment has a good chance of failing and are putting a lot of energy into trying to get it passed, although such actions could have the opposite effect with some, who'd rather see church money used for "social justice issues."

"Among Catholics, and this would be true in Minnesota and nationwide, you've got about a third who are pretty ... traditional in their interpretation and adhere to what the bishops say. What the remaining two-thirds do is really the issue."

[Arrowhead1952]

Not just the Catholic church. We had a discussion about the ELCA in our LCMS Bible study group today.

---

Promoting Sin in the ELCA
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2919205/posts

[SuziQ]

This is one of those opportune 'teaching moments', of which I hope Bishops of every state in which this issue arises will take advantage. Marriage has become not much more than the dress and the reception to many young couples, and they don't give much thought, it seems, to the covenant they're making with each other, and, together, with God. The contraceptive mentality has taken hold, even in Catholics, that considers children an inconvenience. And with unwed motherhood so prevalent these days, the idea of marriage between and man and a woman as safe haven for the rearing of children is considered a quaint notion.

It will take boldness in the Spirit for priests and Bishops to speak out on this subject, rejecting the 'fairness' or 'civil rights' notions. They need to speak more about the argument that one man-one woman marriage is best for building and retaining stable civilizations, since many listeners will reject any religious ideas.