Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the current chairman of the Catholic bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty, recently condemned the proposed bill that allows same-sex marriage.
He described the bill as failing to the point that even the "meager goal" of preserving the status quo was not achieved.
The cardinal said, "The bill will be a new arrow in the quiver of those who wish to deny religious organizations' liberty to freely exercise their religious duties, strip them of their tax exemptions, or exclude them from full participation in the public arena."
Different Perspectives of Faith Leaders
According to Spectrum News NY1, some issues divide the U.S. church leaders and denominations about a Senate plan to safeguard same-sex and interracial marriages.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Southern Baptist Convention officials oppose the bill, saying it threatens religious liberty even with a newly inserted amendment.
The bill "attacks the religious freedom of millions of Americans with truly held ideas about marriage based on trust in God," Missouri Baptist Convention officials wrote to Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt this week.
Moreover, left-of-center Christian leaders applaud the bill and intend to rally at the Capitol on Thursday.
Interfaith Alliance, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Hindus for Human Rights, and the United Church of Christ Justice and Local Church Ministries sponsored the rally.
Church Leaders Express Opinions
Tarunjit Singh Butalia, the current executive director of Religions for Peace USA, called the bill "common logic." The director said faith communities must live out their marriage principles without imposing them on those of other faiths or no faith.
The Rev. Al Mohler Jr., current president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, argued that the modified Senate bill does not respect Americans' religious liberties.
"Christian orphanages, children's care, adoption, and foster care are at risk," he added.
Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptists' public policy arm, criticized Senate backers for supporting legislation "that will only divide us."
Pastor Jack Hibbs of an evangelical megachurch in Southern California claimed the law "disrespects marriage."
"We've seen this in recent years with wedding venues, bakers, and florists," he added, adding that organizations might be sued "because of their personal and core convictions."
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, leader of the Catholic bishops' Committee for Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, claimed the plan lacked religious protections.
"I oppose wording like exceptions because it allows discrimination," he remarked Wednesday. "Nope, not at all. We believe children require a mother and father.
He said LDS officials "seem to be headed differently" on same-sex marriage. They've been strong partners in keeping the focus on family preservation.
The Utah-based LDS said it would continue to consider same-sex partnerships against God's commands.
However, it will support same-sex couples' rights as long as they don't impede religious organizations' freedom to believe as they wish.
Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and same-sex spouse, urged passage of the measure.
"There's a misperception that Christianity and LGBTQ+ equality are irreconcilable," he wrote.
As a religious leader, he called the bill a boost to America's religious freedom.
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