Oct 30, 2008
Our Common Humanity
An Open Letter to Our African American Clergy Colleagues and Church Members
We believe that all members of our democratic society should have equal protection under the law.
Rev. Dr. D. Mark Wilson
Clergy Outreach Coordinator
(510) 798-7660; mwilson927@aol.com
Our Common Humanity An Open Letter to Our African American Clergy Colleagues and Church Members
We believe that all members of our democratic society should have equal protection under the law.
As ordained clergy, we have watched with growing unease the rise in heated rhetoric surrounding Proposition 8. This proposed constitutional amendment on the November 4 ballot would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry and have their relationships fully recognized by the state of California. We all know that there are many gay and lesbian people in our congregations and communities. These children of God are our brothers and sisters and while we may have differing religious views regarding support for same-gender loving couples, we must all commit to respectful dialogue and engagement.
Speaking from the pulpit or from the rallying crowds in a manner that disrespects the humanity of members of our own congregations, choirs, ministries, communities, and families without regard to their constitutional rights under the law, is completely contradictory to our once celebrated legacy as champions of civil and human rights.
Discrimination and hate diminishes and dehumanizes us all.
We call upon our fellow clergy to renounce inflammatory and hurtful rhetoric that dehumanizes lesbian and gay members of our congregations and communities.
We call upon our fellow clergy and churchgoers to resist co-opting evangelical forces that would seek to use African American faith leaders and churches for misguided agendas that seek to further divide us on the matter of civil marriage – the same forces that are nowhere to be found at our side on the matters of poverty, violence, and injustices plaguing many of our communities.
We urge all to stand firmly against any and all forms of state sanctioned segregation and apartheid.
If Jesus’ ethic, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” means anything to us, wouldn’t we want to do the right thing for others that we want done for ourselves? Imagine this scene: when asked on the day of judgment to give an account of how you treated your lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender sisters and brothers on earth, would you be honestly be proud in saying, “Lord, I changed the constitution to block their right, their pride and their dignity to marry?” And how would you feel when Jesus responds to you with the words from Matthew 25:40: “In as much as you’ve done it unto the least of these members of the family, you’ve done it unto me?”
This a time for us to lead, for us to show the way. This moment in history calls upon us all to stand firmly and steadfast for compassion, equality, fairness, justice and for change.
In hope, peace and justice,
- Rev. Donna Allen, Pastor, New Liberation Community Church, Berkeley, California
- Rev. Dr. Amos Brown, Pastor, Third Baptist Church, San Francisco
- Rev. Dr. Leon Bacchues, Tapestry Ministries
- Rev. Toni Dunbar, City of Refuge United Church of Christ
- Rev. Douglas E. Fitch, Oakland California
- Pastor MacArthur Flournoy, Minister of Public Policy, The Fellowship, Sacramento, California
- Bishop Dr. Yvette Flunder, Pastor, City of Refuge United Church of Christ and Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship
- Rev. Ann Jefferson, City of Refuge United Church of Christ, San Francisco and Pacific School of Religion
- Rev. Philip Lawson, Pastor, Jones Memorial United Methodist Church
- Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Center for Lesbian/Gay Studies in Religion, Pacific School of Religion
- Rev. Janice Steele, Imani United Church of Christ, Sacramento
- Rev. Ron Swisher, Pastor, Taylor United Methodist Church, Oakland, California
- Rev. Byron Williams, Pastor, Resurrection Community Church and Syndicated columnist, Oakland California
- Rev. Dr. D. Mark Wilson, Coordinating Pastor, Tapestry Ministries, Berkeley, California
