Faith Voices
If you are a faith leader who has written a sermon on LGBT equality, radical hospitality, the freedom to marry etc., please share it with us so we can share it with others! E-mail to info@cafaithforequality.org.
Blogs by friends of CFE
“An Inch At A Time: Reflections on the Journey” by The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, Senior Associate – All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, California, Chair of the Diocesan Program Group on LGBT Ministries, Past-President, Integrity USA, Advisory Council Member, California Faith for Equality
“Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living With Hope.” by Rabbi Denise Eger, Spiritual leader – Congregation Kol Ami, West Hollywood, California, President, Board of Rabbis of Southern California, Former Board Member, California Faith for Equality
Christian – Nondenominational
Anonymous, Los Angeles, CA
The Impact of the Church on the Gay African–American. April 2008. Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition Newsletter. “For years I have listened to African-American churches mention how unnatural and sinful it is to be gay.”
Dr. Mary Ann Tolbert, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, Berkeley, CA
The Bible and Same-Gender Marriage. May 2004. “If neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament contain much support for the contemporary understanding of marriage in US society, and neither say anything about same-gender marriage, positively or negatively, where does all this biblical witness against same-gender relationships come from?”
Disciples of Christ
Rev. Maria Tafoya, Delhaven Christian Church, La Puente, CA
Living on the Margin. Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. June 2008. “In this passage we have clear evidence in Jesus’ own actions that NO ONE is left out when the Good News is preached. That NO ONE is unworthy of his love, and by extension, God’s love.”
Jewish – Conservative Movement
Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA
Morality, Legality and Homosexuality. 1992. Rosh Hashanah Sermon. For moral reasons and halachic interpretations based on new information, Conservative Judaism should no longer see homosexuality as an abomination. Click here for the audio version.
A Second Look at Homosexuality. 1997. Another plea to recognize that traditional law regarding homosexuals is not frozen. Conservative Judaism should no longer regard homosexuality as an abomination. Shaming others is an abomination which we should cleanse from our midst. Click here for the audio version.
Jewish – Reform Movement
Joe Hample, Rabbic Intern, Beth Chayim Chadashim, Los Angeles, CA
High Holy Day Prayer for the Freedom to Marry. In Hebrew, Hebrew transliteration, and English, this prayer is intended for use during the High Holy Days. There are two versions of the prayers, one including Naomi and Ruth, Jonathan and David, and one excluding them.
Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Robert Goss, Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley, North Hollywood, CA
What would Jesus do in California? May 2008. A sermon exploring family and marriage in the Bible to repudiate traditionalist claims that Scripture supports marriage solely between a man and a woman.
Rev. Neil Thomas, Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles, CA
What is Biblical Marriage? July 2008. A response to the recent debate among Christians regarding the freedom to marry, this sermon is a timely reminder that Biblical marriage, understood from the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah, does not necessarily reflect our understanding of marriage in the 21st century.
Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Ricky Hoyt, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Clarita, CA
Denying my Ability to Perform Marriages for Same Sex Couples on an Equal Basis with Opposite Sex Couples is Wrong Legally and Spiritually. 2007. A sermon given during a California Faith for Equality panel on the freedom to marry, this sermon addresses the morality of the freedom to marry.
United Methodist
Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, San Francisco, CA
In Celebration of Family Values. 2007. “Pat Robertson, not high on my list as far as theologians go, once said that ‘To me and most Republicans traditional family values start with faith in Almighty God.’ When I heard him say that I must admit my curiosity got the better of me, so I did some research to see what the relationship was between family values and faith in God.”
