Clergy Support for the Refuse to Sign Campaign
We the undersigned ask you to sign the Clergy Covenant in support of the Refuse to Sign Campaign.
In good conscience, I am no longer able to function as an agent of the government by signing state-issued marriage licenses. This license is only afforded to a portion of the population, which results in a blatant act of prejudice and discrimination. In actuality, this violates the civil rights of all American citizens.
I believe that God proclaimed inclusivity and equality of human dignity. I believe that to sign a state-issued marriage license for one segment of the people of God, and not for everyone, is unjust and discriminatory. As a clergyperson committed to authentic ministry and called as a prophet, I will continue to call upon others to join in this bold position.
By signing this covenant, I join my sisters and brothers in the ministry who agree to either:
1. Not sign state-issued marriage licenses ever again.
2. Not sign state-issued marriage licenses for anyone until gay marriage is legal.
3. Not sign state-issued marriage licenses as a deliberate step toward the implementation of a two-step process that advocates for the separation of church and state. Those who subscribe to this view believe that any two, unmarried, consenting adults should be granted a “civil union” by the state, and then it is up to each church and/or denomination to determine if they will bless such unions and call them a marriage.
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provide. Please watch for it.
Thank you.
Rev. John Tamilio III, Cleveland, Ohio, United Church of Christ
Rev. Tricia Gilbert, Cleveland, Ohio, United Church of Christ
Rev, Roland Stringfellow, Berkeley, CA, Pacific School of Religion
Rev. Jeffrey Spencer, Fremont, California, United Church of Christ
I'm promising #2(for now at least)
Rev. Jim Bundy, Charlottesville, Va., United Church of Christ
Don Portwood, Minneapolis, MN, United Church of Christ
Rev. Ashley C. Smith, Stephentown, NY, American Baptist Churches/USA & Alliance of Baptists
#3; NO clergyperson in the United States of America should say, or be sanctioned to say, "by the power vested in me by the State/Commonwealth" - clergy are not instruments of the state, and the state should not be able to vest any power in clergy.
Paul Read, Minneapolis, MN, Lutheran (ELCA)
Maureen Duffy-Boose, Salt Lake City, Utah, Unitarian Universalist Pagan
I am a Priestess of the Goddess and a Unitarian Universalist Pagan Minister, legally empowered to perform marriage ceremonies in the State of Utah. I will continue to perform marriage ceremonies that are strictly religious in nature, but will no longer perform "legal weddings" until that status is open to everyone regardless of sexual or gender orientation. Civil marriage is a civil right.
Robert E. DAhl, Holland, Michigan, United Church of Christ
Victoria Safford, Mahtomedi, Minnesota , Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Mia Baumgartner, Seattle, WA, Lutheran (ELCA)
Jan Griesinger, Athens, Ohio, UCC
Rev. Dave Bean, West Linn, Oregon, United Methodist
I support what you are doing and am thankful to find you and learn that we are not alone!
Barbara F. Nixon, Boise, Idaho, United Methodist
Rev. Rebecca Booher, Greensburg, PA, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Pamela Shepherd, Ashland, Oregon, UCC
Dorothy Clark Brooks, Ashland 97520, Oregon , UCC
Rev. Tom Harris, Baltimore, MD, Presbyterian
#2!
