Madison — A fundamental principle of the Madison Jewish Community Council is to promote an American society that is democratic, pluralistic and just. Accordingly, we continue to stand firmly in support of human rights, civil rights and the separation of religion and state.
As such, the MJCC opposes the resolution that was scheduled for debate by the U.S. Senate this week to amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage. We are also opposed to similar legislation pending in the Wisconsin legislature.
Legal recognition of same-sex civil marriages is a matter of human and civil rights. Denying same sex couples the right to enter into a civil marriage creates second-class citizen status, which is unacceptable in a just and democratic society.
Under federal law and the law of 48 other states, over 1,000 rights, responsibilities and privileges accrue to married couples and their families exclusively.
Allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions but not civil marriage falls short of the goal of equality under the law for all. While adoption of same-sex civil marriage will not, in and of itself, achieve this goal, it is a necessary first step.
We acknowledge and respect the diversity of views on this issue within the Jewish and wider communities. Both Jewish tradition and American values recognize the importance of differing opinions and lively debate and the need for all perspectives to be heard.
MJCC’s historic commitment to human and civil rights leads us to support the right of same-sex couples and their families to enjoy liberty and equal justice under law.
We affirm the distinction between civil and religious marriage. Legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage should not and will not require clergy of any faith or denomination to perform or recognize the religious status of same-sex marriages, consistent with the separation of religion and state.
Incorporating religious doctrine into Federal or State of Wisconsin legislation, the United States or the State of Wisconsin constitutions would erode the separation of religion and state, a cherished value that ensures religious liberty of the Jewish community and for people of all faiths and beliefs.
For these reasons, the board of directors of the Madison Jewish Community Council on April 20 voted unanimously to urge our elected officials to enact legislation providing for same-sex civil marriage.
We further oppose any effort to legislate or amend the constitutions of the United States or the State of Wisconsin to bar same-sex couples from marrying, or to deny legal benefits to same-sex couples and their families.
Steven H. Morrison is executive director of the Madison Jewish Community Council.
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