It is my duty as a Christian to urge the defeat of Amendment 2 to our Florida Constitution. It would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. If we are to be faithful to our Lord's commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, we should not enshrine in our Constitution this discriminatory and potentially harmful language.

Passage would infringe upon our religious liberty by imposing a single religious definition of marriage on all Floridians, regardless of their beliefs. In addition, Amendment 2 could deny many important benefits to all unmarried Floridians.

While the amendment is clearly aimed at same-sex relationships, we know that among our state's large population of retirees there are heterosexual couples who have not married for fear of losing a portion of their Social Security or pension benefits. In recent years they, as well as partners in committed same-sex relationships, have been able to receive protection for their rights under domestic-partnership laws.

How we can say that we love our neighbors if we pass an amendment that could deny these couples the right to visit a loved one in the hospital or to participate in medical choices for each other?

The Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, like many other branches of Christianity, as well other faiths, are engaged in challenging conversations about their doctrines and policies concerning marriage.

Florida already has passed a law that defines marriage as the proposed amendment would. However, some supporters of Amendment 2 have argued that a constitutional amendment is necessary to protect clergy from being forced to perform or recognize marriages that are contrary to their doctrine. This fear is unfounded. Religious freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. No religious group can be forced to recognize all forms of marriage sanctioned by civil authorities. For example, the state allows and recognizes marriages after divorce; the Roman Catholic Church does not. No Catholic priest is obligated by law to officiate at the marriage of a divorced person.

Along with clergy from a broad spectrum of religious traditions, with diverse views regarding marriage, I have added my signature to a statement opposing Amendment 2, which can be found at www.flclergyforfairness.org. (After Clicking Link, Use Browser Back Button to Return to This Article)

Amendment 2 is unnecessary, potentially hurtful and a threat to our cherished freedom of religion. I urge its defeat on Nov. 4.

THE RT. REV. LEO FRADE, bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, Miami

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