Talking Points
We represent religious leaders from a broad spectrum of faith traditions that have diverse views on marriage between people of the same sex. However, we are united in our opposition to the Amendment 2, which would amend the Florida Constitution to specifically define marriage as only between a man and a woman — a decision that should be left up to individual faith traditions to decide for themselves.
Moreover, Amendment 2 stands to deny many important benefits to all unmarried Floridians. Its unfair and misguided wording could have widespread consequences throughout the State of Florida. For more information on Amendment 2 and its many negative consequences, visit the websites of our partners.
Begin the conversation in your congregation and community about the impact that the passage of Amendment 2 would have on religious liberty in Florida. See below for some important talking points.
- Thoughtful people of faith can and do disagree on the issue of same-sex marriage. America’s many religious traditions reflect this diversity of opinion. But each religious denomination should decide, based on its own doctrines and teachings, whether or not to sanctify marriages of same-sex couples.
- It is not the State of Florida’s role to prefer one religious definition of marriage over another, much less to codify this preference in the Constitution and impose that definition on all Floridians by constitutional fiat.
- The founders of the United States and the State of Florida adopted the separation of religion and state because they understood the dangers of allowing government to have control over religious doctrine and decisions. Politicians should not assert control over the doctrine and practice of our diverse faith communities.
- The religious freedom protected by Article I, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution has allowed religious practice and pluralism to flourish in our state. Respecting the rights of those in the faith community who deem sacred text consistent with the blessing of same-sex relationships protects and ensures that freedom.
- Some have argued that a constitutional amendment is necessary to ensure that clergy will never be forced to recognize marriages of same-sex couples against their will. This is entirely wrong. This kind of coercion is forbidden by the First Amendment to the US Constitution and Article I, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, which protects houses of worship to make any decision in performing rites of religion consistent with faith traditions. These are the only protections of religious autonomy, including decisions regarding marriage, that our country and our state need.
- Floridians must stand up to protect the fundamental principle of respecting religious pluralism.
- Amendment 2 would write discrimination against one group of Floridians into the Constitution and could cause serious harm to all Floridians. The Constitution is supposed to guarantee equal rights for everyone, not take rights away.