An Interfaith Letter to the Elected Leaders of Illinois

The following is a letter sent on January 1 by a host of religious leaders here in Illinois—including the President of the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS, of which I am a member—to the elected leaders of our state...

Dear Illinois lawmakers:

Marriage is the lifelong, faithful union of one man and one woman, and the natural basis of the family.

Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of society because a stable, loving marriage is the ideal environment for raising children. Through marriage, children grow up knowing that they were created through an act of intimate love. Marriage is also beneficial for adults as the ideal structure for men and women to live interdependently, recognizing the equal dignity, beauty and value of one another while also relying on each other’s care and love. This is the natural order embracing the complementary physical, emotional and spiritual design of men and women.

As such, marriage in its true definition has long been respected and publicly supported in our society. As religious leaders in Illinois, we find the continued affirmation of marriage between a man and a woman essential. The ongoing attempts to alter the definition of marriage in civil law are full of serious danger, primarily by degrading the cultural understanding of marriage to a temporary emotional bond between any two adults and by giving rise to a profound interference with the exercise of religious freedom for those persons and religious institutions whose faith and doctrine recognize the spiritual foundation of marriage as an authorized union between a man and a woman.

Some claim that as long as religious ministers are not forced to preside over same-sex “marriages” the principle of religious freedom, as secured in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment is protected. However, the notion that the exercise of religious freedom is confined to the interior of churches, synagogues, temples or mosques or what one does on Holy Days is wrong and dangerous. The freedom of religion also extends to the ministries of religious organizations and to the individual conscience. Thus, the real peril: if marriage is redefined in civil law, individuals and religious organizations – regardless of deeply held beliefs – will be compelled to treat same-sex unions as the equivalent of marriage in their lives, ministries and operations. Compulsion of this nature is a violation of personal conscience and of religious liberty.

We implore all people of good will to protect marriage and religious freedom. The far-reaching consequences of redefining marriage in civil law extend throughout society and will directly impact religious freedom. Marriage and religious freedom are ideals integral to Illinois, and our elected leaders should do all they can to maintain these important principles.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville

Representing 127 parishes

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
Representing 99 Friday prayer locations & Masjids

Reverend Dan P. Gilbert
President, Northern Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 220 congregations

Most Reverend David J. Malloy
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford

Representing 105 parishes

Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet

Representing 120 parishes

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago

Representing 356 parishes

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.

Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria

Representing 162 parishes

Reverend Mark A. Miller
President, Central Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 160 congregations

The Right Reverend Juan Alberto Morales, OSB

Bishop of Quincy, Diocese of Quincy, Anglican Church in North America

Representing 26 churches

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-in-IL

Representing 130 parishes

Elder Jack Ward
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Representing 127 congregations

The Right Reverend Wesley L. Nolden II

Assistant Bishop of Quincy, Diocese of Quincy Anglican Church in North America

Representing 26 churches

Reverend Timothy J. Scharr
President, Southern Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 95 congregations

Pastors and members of the following churches also support this letter:

Generational Blessings Flossmoor, IL

Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Chicago, IL
Grace Temple Holiness Church Chicago, IL
Total Christian Life Ministry Joliet, IL
Empowerment Christian Center Chicago, IL
Sacred Mountain International Christian Center Chicago, IL
Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore Sycamore, IL
The Purchased Church of God Chicago, IL
NuWine Ministries Westchester, IL
Deliverance Outreach Center Chicago, IL
Montrose Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Rock of Ages Baptist Church Maywood, IL
Immanuel United Church of Christ Peotone, IL
Living Hope Missionary Baptist Chicago, IL
Bibleway Ministries Barrington, IL
The Father’s House Zion Church of God Zion, IL
Christian Life Church Mt. Prospect, IL
Darion Ministries Oak Park, IL
Word of Grace Church Chicago, IL
Living Waters Presbyterian Church Addison, IL
Chicagoland Church of God Lincolnwood, IL
Grace & Truth Apostolic Church Evanston, IL
Polish Evangelical Fellowship Chicago, IL
Grace for Life Bible Church Naperville, IL
Empowerment Christian Center Chicago, IL
Storm of the Spirit Church Chicago, IL
Evangelical Free Church Crystal Lake, IL
Tree of Life Outreach Ministries Chicago, IL

Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Pathway Christian Fellowship Shorewood, IL
Prince of Peace Baptist Church Chicago, IL
First Baptist of Marengo Marengo, IL
Park Place Baptist Church Montgomery, IL
New Life Ministries Oak Park, IL
Covenant Chapel Baptist Church Chicago, IL
H.E.L.P.S. Ministry St. Charles, IL
New Life Deliverance Church Chicago, IL
Greater Damascus Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Outreach Fellowship Christian Center East Dundee, IL
Life Changing International Ministries Chicago, IL
Bethesda Worship Center Des Plaines, IL
Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Worth Church of the Nazarene Worth, IL
Peace of God Outreach Waukegan, IL
Hosanna! Lutheran Church, LCMC St. Charles, IL
Christian Tabernacle Church Roselle, IL
Alpha Baptist Church Bolingbrook, IL
Jesus Word Center Chicago, IL
Jesus Journey Church Bartlett, IL

True Witness Deliverance Ministries Calumet City, IL
Living Word Christian Center Chicago, IL
Cross & Crown Chicago, IL
Grace Chinese Christian Church Skokie, IL
Fox Valley Church of God Geneva, IL
Lively Hope Church of God in Christ Joliet, IL
First Saint Peter All Nation Church Chicago, IL