President of progressive church blasts Washington same-sex marriage ban

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday July 27, 2006

The president of the United Church of Christ, an organization made up of Evangelical Christian denominations, has denounced yesterday's Washington State court ruling reaffirming a ban on same-sex marriage.

"Rather than defending constitutional rights," said Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and leader of the 1.2-million-member organization, "the court has allowed itself to become complicit in prejudice and bigotry."

"In the name of 'family values,'" he continued, "we have denied the worth of families across our land and in our churches, families marked by love and covenant commitment."

Nineteen couples, including a one made of clergy from Seattle's University Congregational United Church of Christ, had sued to challenge the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

"Throughout the years our nation's court system has often been the voice of reason and hope in the midst of debates over human and civil rights, defending personal liberties and upholding the dignity of every person," Thomas explained. "The decision of the courts in Washington to deny the right to marry to same gender couples is, therefore, profoundly disappointing."

The church is made up of many Evangelical, Protestant denominations. The group has often been critical of current government policies on social issues, taxes, and the environment.