Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage

In recent years, same-sex marriage has been a contentious subject within many religious groups in the U.S. Here is an overview of where 16 religious groups stand on this issue.

American Baptist Churches USA

In 2005, the governing body of the American Baptist Churches USA affirmed that “God’s design for sexual intimacy places it within the context of marriage between one man and one woman” and that “homosexuality is incompatible with Biblical teaching.” In 2006, the church’s Pacific Southwest regional board (which includes churches in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona) split from the denomination because the denomination’s national leadership declined to penalize congregations that welcomed openly gay members.

• “American Baptist Churches USA: Responses/Actions Pertaining to Homosexuality” (2005) (PDF)
• Baptist Press, “Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Will Meet With Troubled ABC (USA) in 2007”
• Baptist Press, “Split Among American Baptists Over Homosexuality Is Final” (2006)

Buddhism

There is no universal Buddhist position on same-sex marriage. According to some interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings, one of the 10 non-virtuous deeds that lead to suffering is “sexual misconduct.” This term is generally understood to refer primarily to adultery. However, some Buddhists interpret the term to include homosexuality.

• The Buddhist Channel, “Religion and Same-Sex Marriage”
• Religionfacts.com, “Homosexuality and Buddhism”

Catholicism

[cannot be given the status of marriage]

• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan” (2009) (PDF)
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Bishops’ Administrative Committee Reaffirms Support For Federal Marriage Amendment” (2006)
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee Calls For Protection of Marriage” (2003)
• The Vatican, “Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons” (2003)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)

Mormon theology stipulates that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.” As a result, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not endorse same-sex marriage.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Topics, “Same-Gender Attraction”

Episcopal Church

In July 2012, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved a liturgy for blessing same-sex relationships. The new liturgy, which will take effect in December 2012, falls short of a marriage rite. However, the “blessing” ceremony resembles the marriage ceremony in most ways, including an exchange of vows and agreement by the couple to be in a lifelong committed relationship. The ritual for same-sex couples will not be mandatory. Each Episcopal bishop will decide whether to allow churches in his or her jurisdiction to use the new liturgy to bless same-sex unions. And in those dioceses where blessing same-sex relationships is permissible, no Episcopal priest will be required to perform the blessing ceremony.

[opposition to]

• Episcopal Church, General Convention 2012 Legislation, Resolution A049
• Episcopal News Service, “Blessing Rite Authorized for Provisional Use from First Advent” (2012)
• Episcopal Church, General Convention 2009 Legislation, Resolution C056
• Episcopal Church, General Convention 2006 Legislation, Resolution A095

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The ELCA defines marriage as “a lifelong covenant of faithfulness between a man and a woman.” However, at its 2009 church-wide assembly, it voted to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize and bless same-sex unions. At the same assembly, the church also adopted a social statement on human sexuality that supports a wide variety of families, including those headed by same-gender couples.

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “Social Statement: Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” (2009)
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “Sexuality: Some Common Convictions” (1996)

Hinduism

There is no official Hindu position on same-sex marriage. Some Hindus condemn the practice of homosexuality, but others cite ancient Hindu texts, such as the Kama Sutra, that seem to condone homosexual behavior.

• Hinduism Today, “Discussions on Dharma”
• Human Rights Campaign, “Stances of Faiths on GLBT Issues: Hinduism”

Islam

Islamic law forbids homosexuality, and the practice of homosexuality is a crime in many Islamic countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.

• Islamic Research Foundation International, “Same-Sex Marriage and Marriage in Islam”
• Religionfacts.com, “Homosexuality and Islam”

Judaism

The Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements have supported gay and lesbian rights, including same-sex marriage, since the mid-1990s. In June 2012, the Conservative Jewish movement approved a ceremony to allow same-sex couples to marry. All three movements also allow individual rabbis to choose not to officiate at the weddings of gay and lesbian couples. Orthodox Judaism does not accept same-sex marriage, and its highest governing body, the Orthodox Union, has lobbied against gay marriage nationally and in various states.

Reform movement:

• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, “LGBT Rights and Position of the Reform Movement”
• Central Conference of American Rabbis, “Resolution on Same Gender Officiation” (2000)

Reconstructionist movement:

• Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, “Reconstructionist Movement Joint Statement on Same-Sex Marriage Bans” (2008)
• Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, “Resolution In Support Of Civil Marriage For Same-Sex Couples” (2004)

Conservative movement:

• The Rabbinical Assembly, “Rituals and Documents of Marriage and Divorce for Same-Sex Couples” (2012)(PDF)
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “Conservative Rabbinic Group Issues Guidelines for Same-Sex Wedding Rituals” (2012)

Orthodox Judaism:

• Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Institute for Public Affairs, “Orthodox Union Expresses Disappointment with President Obama’s Endorsement of Same Sex Marriage; States Appreciation for President Obama’s Recognition of Need for Protection of Religious Liberties” (2012)
• Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Institute for Public Affairs, “Orthodox Response to Same-Sex Marriage” (2006)
• Rabbinical Council of America, “Response to Rabbinical Assembly’s Decisions Regarding Ordination of Gays and Lesbians, and ‘Commitment Ceremonies’ ” (2006)

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

In 2006, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod reaffirmed its position that same-sex marriage is “contrary to the will of the Creator.” At its 2010 national convention, the LCMS responded to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s 2009 decision (which gave ELCA congregations the option to support lifelong, monogamous, same-sex relationships) by restating the LCMS position that homosexuality is a sin “in any and all situations” and by encouraging the ELCA to reconsider its decision.

• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “FAQs: LCMS Views – Marriage/Human Sexuality”(PDF)
• Reporter: The Official Newspaper of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “Synod responds to ELCA’s actions on homosexuality” (2010)
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Resolution 3-01A, “To Commend ILC and Task Force Statements as Responses to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Actions” (2010) (PDF)
• The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “Legislation Regarding Same-Sex Civil Unions” (2006) (PDF)

National Association of Evangelicals

In 2004, the National Association of Evangelicals reaffirmed its 1985 resolution that homosexuality is not sanctioned by the Bible. Thus the group does not support gay marriage or civil unions.

• National Association of Evangelicals, “For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility” (2004)

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, a position the church’s General Assembly reaffirmed in 2010. In 2000, however, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission – the denomination’s highest judicial body – issued a decision allowing Presbyterian ministers to bless same-sex unions as long as those ceremonies do not equate same-sex unions with marriage. Additionally, in 2004, the General Assembly urged state legislatures to give individuals in same-gender relationships the right to be joined in civil unions.

• Reuters, “Presbyterian Church Rejects Gay Marriage Proposal” (2012)
• The Associated Press, “Presbyterians Continue To Be Divided Over Gays” (2010)
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 219th General Assembly, “Civil Unions and Marriage Issues: Questions and Answers” (2010)
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 216th General Assembly, “Family Paper Approved: Assembly also adopts call affirming civil rights of same-sex couples” (2004)
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, Decision to Marc G. Benton, et al. v. The Presbytery of Hudson River (2000) (PDF)

Southern Baptist Convention

In 2003, the Southern Baptist Convention issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to gay marriage. It called on “Southern Baptists not only to stand against same-sex unions but to demonstrate our love for those practicing homosexuality by sharing with them the forgiving and transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).” In 2012, at its annual convention, church representatives passed a resolution once again affirming its opposition to same-sex marriage and stating that gay marriage is not “a civil rights issue.”

• Southern Baptist Convention, SBC Resolutions, “On ‘Same-Sex Marriage’ and Civil Rights Rhetoric” (2012)
• Southern Baptist Convention, SBC Resolutions, “On Same-Sex Marriage” (2003)

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

In 1996, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations passed a resolution in support of same-sex marriage.

• Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, “Support of the Right To Marry for Same-Sex Couples” (1996)

United Church of Christ

In 2005, the United Church of Christ’s General Synod voted to legally recognize and advocate in favor of same-sex marriage. Given the autonomous nature of United Church of Christ churches, each congregation may adopt or reject the recommendations of the General Synod.

• United Church of Christ, Resolutions, “Equal Marriage Rights for All” (2005) (PDF)

United Methodist Church

In 2008, the United Methodist Church’s top policymaking body reaffirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. Additionally, the UMC’s Judicial Council ruled in 2009 that church law prohibits clergy from performing same-sex marriages. Thus, the denomination does not sanction UMC ministers or UMC churches to conduct civil union ceremonies, despite appeals from some regional congregations and clergy that it do so. During the 2012 meeting of the General Conference, delegates voted down a resolution that would have struck from the UMC’s Book of Doctrine and Rules language stating that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” Delegates also tabled a proposal to allow churches to bless same-sex unions.

• United Methodist News Service, “Delegates Cannot Agree They Disagree on Sexuality” (2012)
• United Methodist Church, Judicial Council, “Council rejects resolution on same-sex marriages” (2009)
• United Methodist Church, Leader Resources, “What Is the Denomination’s Position on Homosexuality?” (2008)
• Los Angeles Times, “Pastors Defy United Methodist Officials To Conduct Gay Weddings” (2008)