Competing rights against "discrimination"

The Washington Post recently reported on the clash between religious expression and civil rights of gays.

The Post notes, "Faith organizations and individuals who view homosexuality as sinful and refuse to provide services to gay people are losing a growing number of legal battles that they say are costing them their religious freedom."

As one might expect, advocates on both sides are pushing for more legislation to protect their positions. However, with all constitutional rights, no right is absolute, and there are often reasons for any particular right to give way to a greater purpose.

Common ground among several world religions

Recently, The Atlantic ran a religion piece, "One World, Under God," about how "history suggests a happier outcome" for politics concerning the three world religions that trace their roots back to Abraham--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

For all three Abrahamic faiths, then, tolerance and even amity across ethnic and national bounds have a way of emerging as a product of utility; when you can do well by doing good, doing good can acquire a scriptural foundation. This flexibility is heartening for those who believe that, in a highly globalized and interdependent world, the vast majority of people in all three Abrahamic faiths have more to gain through peaceful coexistence and cooperation than through intolerance and violence. If ancient Abrahamics could pen laudable scriptures that were in their enlightened self-interest, then maybe modern Abrahamics can choose to emphasize those same scriptures when it’s in their interest.

The article takes a notably Christian angle (probably because of that religion's prominence and political influence in America) and does a nice job looking at biblical scholarship about the Gospels and the letters of Paul to trace the "early" message of Christianity.

(Photo by beggs; used by permission.)

Gay marriage in a positive religious light

Gay marriage is not going away as a national issue (rightfully so), and Newsweek takes a look at the frequently overlooked religious dimension of the pro-gay-marriage advocates. The author explores the biblical references to family, marriage, sexuality, and love, and how the biblical interpretation has evolved over the centuries. In support of gay marriage, the following excerpt summarizes the article:

People get married "for their mutual joy," explains the Rev. Chloe Breyer, executive director of the Interfaith Center in New York, quoting the Episcopal marriage ceremony. That's what religious people do: care for each other in spite of difficulty, she adds. In marriage, couples grow closer to God: "Being with one another in community is how you love God. That's what marriage is about."

(Photo by tico24; used by permission.)