(The following Affirmation was published in the Hartford Courant, February 24, 2003, and was pulled together on very short notice at the behest of an ad hoc group of nine ministers convened by the Rev. Dr. Leroy Bailey, senior pastor of The First Cathedral in Bloomfield. The content was written by the Rev. John C. Rankin, and vetted among all members until finally honed for publication. The other seven members of the ad hoc committee were the Rev. Dr. Raul Gonzalez, Rev. Dr. Jay Deifell, Rev. Terry Wiles, Rev. Wayne Carter, Rev. Jeremiah Torres, Rev. Earl Imswiler, Jr., and Rev. Norman Mesel. Click here for a view of the ad as published, which is  followed by a Letter to the Editor published on 5/10/03. To date, there is still not one member of the media, not one legislator, not one clergy person, not one academic and not one homosexual advocate in the entire state who has criticized even one word of this Affirmation.  In a state like Connecticut, where elitist skepticism of the Gospel is as intense as anywhere in the nation, such silence is as stunning as it is revealing. The truth spoken in love cannot be successfully opposed.)

 

This Affirmation has also been edited for a national purpose (changing the localized first paragraph below to two paragraphs with a national audience in view) For details, log on to: www.onehundredthousandministers.com.

 

This Affirmation is composed with precision in language, for there is a small core of elitists in politics, the media, academia, various clergy, and among homosexual activists, whose influence is wide, and whose animosity to the Gospel is deep. They look for the smallest misstep on our part in order to accuse us of "homophobia" and intolerance. Thus, the headline language is important for the casual eye, as are the two sentences in bold. Many people will not read beyond that, but they will have already gained a sense of our purpose. In contrast, for those elitists who oppose us, they will search the language to find fault. If they then silence themselves, being unable or unwilling to criticize the content of the Affirmation, then there is less ability on their part to deceive the wider culture. We will have succeeded in speaking the truth in love. Our influence is thus much more invisible than retail politics, but also far more spiritually and psychologically powerful. To fully grasp the theology behind this strategy, read the Commentary article, The Politics of Jesus: To Silence the Foe and Avenger, and to further understand who the foe is, and who it is not, read also, Same-Sex Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty.

 

 

Yes to Man and Woman in Marriage

No to Same-Sex Marriage

 

An Affirmation of 200 Ministers in Connecticut

(of Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and Allied Traditions)

 

 

For two years now the Judiciary Committee of the State Legislature has considered various proposals aiming at the legalization of same-sex marriage. This year there are similar proposals again.

 

It is our desire first to affirm civil rights for all people equally in the sight of the law, and second, we do so based on the ministry of the Gospel.

 

First, with respect to civil rights, we believe the following:

 

1. In the United States, the civil rights which we all enjoy are rooted in "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God," in the unalienable rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness.

 

2. The unique source for unalienable rights is the Creator, the God of the Bible.

 

3. The Creator defines true marriage as one man and one woman in mutual fidelity. The health of society and well-being of children are rooted in this foundation. Thus, the Source for unalienable rights also gives us the true definition of marriage.

 

4. In human history, no society rooted in the approval of homosexuality has ever produced unalienable rights for the larger social order.

 

Our beliefs reflect a depth of historical substance -- and do not make for simplistic political slogans. We celebrate these unalienable rights for all people equally, as people, regardless of how much their sexual identities or religious beliefs may differ from our own. We encourage all people to consider the implications, and give us your feedback and questions.

 

Same-sex marriage has been put forth most often as a "civil right." But such a "right" cannot be rooted in the unalienable rights given by the Creator, and as well, same-sex marriage is historically unprecedented. Also, same-sex marriage redefines marriage downward, and indeed, it aims for a definition closer to "open marriage" where mutual fidelity is not expected. Thus, in view of such an extreme idea, we believe its advocates need to answer these questions:

 

 

If these questions cannot be answered with clarity and historical precedence, we believe a legitimate argument for same-sex marriage has not been advanced.

 

Second, with respect to the ministry of the Gospel, we affirm these words of Jesus:

 

   "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

 

For those who struggle with homosexual temptation, or any other temptation, Jesus invites us to come to him, and on his terms. We too, as ministers of the Gospel, have the exact same need to daily seek God's grace to overcome any range of temptations that may come our way -- as is common with all people.

  

What then, in this regard, are the terms of Jesus? How does he view homosexuality? We believe the following, as a concise biblical summary:

 

1. In the biblical order of creation, God designed human sexuality uniquely for the marriage of one man and one woman in mutual fidelity.

 

2. The law of Moses says no to homosexual acts.

 

3. Jesus said he came to fulfill that law, not to abolish it; and Jesus explicitly defended the marriage of man and woman as rooted in the biblical order of creation.

 

4. The apostle Paul says no to homosexuality.

 

Thus, those who wish to come to Jesus on his terms must put aside all forms of idolatry, including homosexuality. Jesus honors and fulfills Jewish law which says no to homosexuality, based on the prior yes to man and woman in marriage. This view of marriage looks to the cultivation of trust between man and woman as equals and complements. As husband and wife maintain fidelity to God and one another, the preeminent social basis for trust is then modeled for their children.

 

What child does not want to have a mom and dad at home who love each other in faithful marriage? Also, what children do not want such a marriage for themselves when they grow up? Apart from those who know they are called to a single life, it is largely those who have been hurt deeply early on in life. We know that many in our midst have suffered broken families and betrayals of trust, whether in childhood or adulthood. Homosexuality and/or same-sex marriage only transfer that pain, and do not heal it. Other sexual relations outside of true marriage also increase distrust. We pray that the grace of God will flow into every such life, and we avail ourselves as ministers of the Gospel in this respect.

 

Finally, we regard all people as image-bearers of God. Who among us does not seek peace, order, stability and hope; to live, to love, to laugh and to learn? The question is whether we seek these qualities on our Creator's terms, or on our own broken terms. For that image is broken in all of us in various ways. And for those who struggle with or yield to homosexual temptation, we do not view them as homosexuals. We have a higher view -- they are men and women capable of seeking God's grace to overcome temptation, people to whom we will gladly give our best in order to honor their true dignity in God's sight. We seek to love all neighbors as ourselves, based on loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

 

Rev. Rocco A. Florenza, Anglican Church of the Resurrection, Ansonia

Rev. Norm Swenson, Time Line Ministries, Ashford

Rev. Dr. Jay Abramson, Valley Community Baptist Church, Avon

Rev. Conrad Koch, Valley Community Baptist Church, Avon

Rev. George Smith, Bakerville United Methodist Church, Bakerville

Pastor Kirsten Anderson, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Rev. Sam Dobrotka, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Rev. Joel Eidsness, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Lisa Morrow, Director of Children;s Ministries, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Pastor Steve Sartin, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Pastor Rob Strong, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Rev. Jim Solomon, Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel

Bishop Leroy Bailey, First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Rev. Dr. Horace Holloman, First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Rev. Dr. David R. Owen, Wintonbury Baptist Church, Bloomfield

Pastor Andre Reindeau, Wintonbury Baptist Church, Bloomfield

Rev. Raymond Sailor, Bloomfield

Rev. Gary Poorman, Leffingwell Baptist Church, Bozrah

Rev. Al Stewart, Bozrah Congregational Church, Bozrah

Rev. John R. Gerlach, United Methodist Church, Branford

Mrs. Marion Lovig, Director of Christian Education, First Congregational Church, Branford

Mr. Tom Lovig, Advisor, Alpha USA, Branford

Elder Michael Moran, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Branford

Pastor Brian Musselman, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Branford

David Peterson, Campus Minister, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Branford

Ruth Westerholm, Director of Christian Education, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Branford

Rev. Walter Westerholm, Branford Evangelical Free Church, Branford

Rev. Paul H. Anderson, One Accord Ministries, Bristol

Rev. Lane Bridges, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bristol

Rev. Dr. George N. Crocker, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brookfield

Rev. Sonny Raymond, Chaplin Congregational Church, Chaplin

Rev. Dave Abbott, Christ Community Church, Cheshire

Rev. James B. Bennett, Christ Community Church, Cheshire

Rev. Glenn Havumaki, Cheshire

Rev. Greg Manalli, Fellowship of Life, Cheshire

Rev. Bob Appleby, Cornerstone Community Church, Clinton

Rev. J. Michael Brubaker, Christian Life Chapel, Colchester

Rev. James Wheeler, Collinsville Congregational Church, Collinsville

Rev. Dr. Dennis Reiter, Baptist Fellowship, Columbia

Rev. Jack M. Schneider, Baptist Fellowship. Columbia

Rev. Glen Halvoren, Covenant Village of Cromwell, Cromwell

Rev. Raul Anduaga, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. Bill Reimels, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. Lenny Roberto, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. W. Henry Waltmire, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. Sean Wiles, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. Terry Wiles, Crossroads Community Cathedral, East Hartford

Rev. Norman Mesel, Wesleyan Church, Ellington

Rev. Peter K.H. Chyung, United Methodist Church, Enfield

Rev. Steven L. Thayer, Calvary Presbyterian Church, Enfield

Pastor Larry Fullerton, Black Rock Congregational Church, Fairfield

Pastor Dan McCandless, Black Rock Congregational Church, Fairfield

Pastor Brian W. Fife, The Potter's House, Farmington

Pastor Lorrie S. Fife, The Potter's House. Farmington

Rev. Donald M. McLean, Glastonbury Community Church, Glastonbury

Rev. Ron Gauss, Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church, Groton

Rev. Jim Schneider, Pleasant Valley Community of Prayer & Praise, Groton

Rev. John Westerholm, Valley Bible Church, Haddam

Rev. G.J. Gerard, Northeast Presbytery, ARPC, Hamden

Elder Winston Brown, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Rev. Wayne A. Carter, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Hartford

Mr. Brian Doyle, Vision New England, Hartford

Minister Dwain Gatling, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Bishop Richard Gatling, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Bishop Raul Gonzalez, Glory Chapel International Cathedral, Hartford

State Mother Mary J. Lilly, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Elder Ranford Lilly, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Pastor Philip F. Mawaka, Greater Grace Christian Church of CT, Hartford

Bishop Andrew McCrorey, Jr., Greater Joy Mission Church of Deliverance, Hartford

Rev. John C. Rankin, Theological Education Institute, Hartford

Rev. Amalia Rylander, Shiloh Christian Church, Hartford

Rev. Herbert Rylander, Shiloh Christian Church, Hartford

Minister Antione Smith, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Elder Mark Sweat, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Rev. Eric A. Thompson, Sr., Wayfaring Ministeries of Hartford, Hartford

Bishop Jeremiah Torres, House of Restoration Church, Hartford

Pastor Ric Valliere, Greater Grace Christian Church of CT, Hartford

Elder John Wright, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

National Evangelist Mary E. Wright, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Hartford

Pastor Mark Santostefano, The Worship Center, Hebron

Rev. David Aucoin, Assembly of God, Kensington

Rev. Rick McKinniss, Kensington Baptist Church, Kensington

Rev. K. Ryan Young, Living Rock Church, Killingsworth

Rev. Bruce James, Gallup Hill Baptist Church, Ledyard

Rev. Dr. Darril Deaton, Friendship Baptist Church, Litchfield

Rev. Tom Ruotolo, Southern Connecticut Christian Network, Madison

Rev. Dr. Alan F. Hearl, Trinity Covenant Church, Manchester

Rev. Dr. Bob DeValve, Trinity Covenant Church, Manchester

Pastor David D. Ferrero, Mansfield Christian Fellowship, Mansfield Depot

Rev. Peter J. Leal, Victory Tabernacle, Middlefield

Rev. Eduardo Cardona, 2nd Alpha Omega Church, Middletown

Rev. Patricia Carroll, Shiloh Christian Church, Middletown

Rev. Dr. W. Vance Cotten, Sr., Shiloh Baptist Church, Middletown

Rev. Paul Hylton, Shiloh Christian Church, Middletown

Rev. Timothy Plake, Bible Rocks Ministries, Middletown

Rev. David Scovel, Bible Rocks Ministries, Middletown

Pastor Arne Yaghsizian, Bible Rocks Ministries, Middletown

Rev. James Detweiler, Seapost Community Church, Mystic

Rev. Bruno Spada, Mystic

Rev. Tim Leggett, Naugatuck Valley Community Church, Naugatuck

Pastor Ron E. Surrey, New Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ, New Britain

Rev. Dr. Charles Ferrara, New Fairfield United Methodist Church, New Fairfield

Apostle Eugene Brunson, Wayfaring Ministries, New Haven

Rev. Todd Foster, Church on the Rock, New Haven

Pastor Colon Haywood, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, New Haven

Bishop Lonnell Lawson, Powerhouse Temple of Deliverance Ministries, New Haven

Rev. Floyd Miles, Teen Challenge, New Haven

Bishop Ezekiel S. Newton, Salvation and Deliverance Church, New Haven

Bishop William M. Philpot, Sr., Christ Chapel New Testament Church, New Haven

Pastor Yvonne Philpot, Christ Chapel New Testament Church, New Haven

Lisa Tucker, M.Div., Kingdom Partners, New Haven

Rev. Dr. Mary W. Walton, Holy Nation Tabernacle of Praise & Worship, New Haven

Rev. Matthew Yukon, Northville Baptist Church, New Milford

Rev. Jonathan Haulenbeek, Northfield Congregational Church, Northfield

Rev. Barbara Lachance, Connecticut House of Prayer, No. Stonington

Rev. Robert D. Beinke, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Norwalk

Rev. Dwight G. Anderson (retired), Christian & Missionary Alliance, Norwich

Rev. Chuck Johnson, Norwich

Rev. Dr. William J. Gestal, Jr., Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich, Old Greenwich

Rev. Charles L. Hoffman, Grace Episcopal Church, Old Saybrook

Pastor Thomas Benson, First Bible Baptist Church, Plainville

Dr. Jim Caron, Faith Bible Church, Plainville

Elder Steve Ege, First Baptist Church, Plainville

Rev. Ron Thomas, Faith Living Church, Plantsville

Rev. Warren Geraghty, Praise Christian Fellowship, Pleasant Valley

Rev. Randy Thompson, Poquonock Community Church, Poquonock

Rev. James L. Bray, Ridgefield Baptist Church, Ridgefield

Rev. Ed Campolongo, Church of the Risen Savior, Rockville

Pastor Dennis Gladden, Rockville Church of the Nazarene, Rockville

Rev. Raymond Grezel, Rockville Church of the Nazarene, Rockville

Rev. Paul Astbury, Sherman Congregational Church, Sherman

Rev. Tony Charles, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury

Rev. David K. Chase, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury

Rev. Dr. V. Don Haas, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury

Rev. Dana Jorgensen, New Life In Christ Fellowship, Simsbury

Mr. Jeff Kraines, Campus Minister, Simsbury

Rev. Ben Torrey, St. Thomas House, South Windsor

Rev. Thomas R. White, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, South Windsor

Rev. Peter Smith, First Congregational Church, Thomaston

Rev. Clark Coughlin, Torrington

Pastor Joe Levesque, Living Faith Christian Center, Torrington

Pastor David Miller, Living Faith Christian Center, Torrington

Pastor Diane Miller, Living Faith Christian Center, Torrington

Pastor Brenda Summers, Living Faith Christian Center, Torrington

Pastor Greg Summers, Living Faith Christian Center, Torrington

Rev. D. J. Evans, New Life Assembly of God, Trumbull

Rev. Thomas F. Dean, First Church of Christ, Unionville

Rev. Wade D. Martin, Vernon Assembly of God, Vernon

Rev. Les Young, Living Word Fellowship, Voluntown

Rev. Mark A. Angerosa, White Oak Baptist Church, Wallingford

Rev. Jean-Lubin Beaucejour, International Church of Deliverance, Wallingford

Rev. Terry Frizzell, Wallingford Church of the Nazarane, Wallingford

Rev. William A. Huegel, First Baptist Church, Wallingford

Pastor Mike Arsenault, New Life Christian Church, Waterbury

Pastor Edward Barnes, Garden of Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, Waterbury

Pastor Wilbert M. Chapman, Sr., Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ, Waterbury

Pastor Dennis Cole, Oasis Christian Community, Waterbury

Pastor Larry Gardner, New Life Christian Church, Waterbury

Rev. James Lilley, First Assembly of God, Waterbury

Pastor Joseph Marino, Dayspring Christian Fellowship, Waterbury

Pastor Joseph Mascia, Dayspring Christian Fellowship, Waterbury

Pastor Tim McCarty, The Ark Full Gospel Church, Waterbury

Pastor John H. Medling, Oasis Christian Community, Waterbury

Rev. Mike Monti, Living Faith Church, Waterbury

Pastor Jeffrey Panasci, Dayspring Christian Fellowship, Waterbury

Pastor Gary Ross, Dayspring Christian Fellowship, Waterbury

Rev. Jason Stilwell, First Assembly of God, Waterbury

Rev. Keith Stuarte, Living Faith Christian Church, Waterbury

Rev. Atessa M. Afshar, Wethersfield

Rev. Dr. J. Jey Deifell, Wethersfield

Rev. Van M. Hall, Wethersfield

Rev. Michael McDowell, Wethersfield

Rev. Pershing Parker, Wethersfield

Rev. Dr. Carl Abrahamsen, West Hartford

Rev. Richard L. Hanse, United Methodist Church, West Hartford

Rev. Brian Simmons, Gateway Christian Fellowship, West Haven

Rev. John V. Roy, United Methodist Church, West Granby & East Granby

Rev. Paul Teske, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Westport

Mrs. Rivers Teske, Unplanned Parenting, Inc., Westport

Mr. Kit McDermott, Klesis Ministries, West Simsbury

Rev. Mike Caruso, Calvary Chapel, Willimantic

Rev. Dwayne Harper, Christian Life Assembly, Willimantic

Rev. Dr. Charles Schleich, Faith Bible Church, Woodstock

 

 

Another 100 other signatories were added later: click on www.teihartford.com/ct.htm.

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

(Letter to the Editor in the Hartford Courant, May 10, 2003)

 

 

Clergy Differ on Same-Sex Bill

 

It was interesting to read the Associated Press article "Push For Same-Sex Couples' Benefit Renewed" [Connecticut, April 30]. The sub-headline said: "Clergy Show Support for Gay Rights Bill" and the article specifically noted "the support of clergy around the state" and "dozens of clergy" at a news conference representing "a 180-member network of clergy."

 

On Feb. 24, an affirmation of 200 ministers in Connecticut of Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and allied traditions was published as a full-page advertisement in The Courant. It was headlined: "Yes to Man and Woman in Marriage: No to Same-Sex Marriage." Thus, we see a clear divergence of opinion among the state's religious leaders.

 

Ours was an ad hoc coalition pulled together on short notice to publish an ad for the same day as the Judiciary Committee's hearing on same-sex marriage. I was asked to lead the effort. All 200 names were published for the public record, and that number is modest compared to what it would have been had there been more time to solicit other signatories. As well, these signatories did not include Roman Catholic priests because they speak through their Conference of Bishops as a unit. Their public position was already known. I work side by side with the Connecticut Catholic Conference in this matter, and thus, our affirmation in The Courant was complementary. There are also Orthodox priests and Jewish rabbis who likewise oppose same-sex marriage or facsimile.

 

Our ad included addresses for response. Not one member of the news media, not one legislator, not one clergy person and not one homosexual advocate in the state has criticized one word of our affirmation. We addressed the matter of civil rights and the nature of the ministry of the Gospel in concise substance.

 

I wonder if any member of this "network of clergy" has the theological moxie to address the content of our affirmation in a public forum.

 

The principal advocate group for same-sex marriage, Love Makes A Family, has enlisted clergy support from the outset of its campaign. Indeed, there are theological realities which are prior to politics, and I am eager to see honest public policy engagement on this matter.

 

The Rev. John C. Rankin, President

Theological Education Institute, Hartford