In a 42-page brief filed Monday to a
Denver-based federal appeals court, a coalition of religious
organizations say that they are offended by claims that gay marriage
foes are anti-gay.
In its amicus brief, the
coalition urges the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to
uphold same-sex marriage bans in Utah and Oklahoma, saying it
supports “the husband-wife definition of marriage because we
believe it is right and good for children, families, and society.”
The brief was written by lawyers for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Signatories include the
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist
Convention and the Luther Church – Missouri Synod.
“Our respective religious doctrines
hold that marriage between a man and a woman is sanctioned by God as
the right and best setting for bearing and raising children,” the
brief states. “We believe that children, families, society,
and our nation thrive best when husband-wife marriage is upheld and
strengthened as a cherished, primary social institution.”
The coalition rejected the notion that
opposition to marriage equality is rooted in anti-gay animus.
“A common theme has arisen among
advocates for redefining marriage to include same-sex couples: that
those who oppose them must be irrational or even bigoted – that
they are motivated by 'anti-gay animus,' whether in the form of
unthinking ignorance or actual hostility. Such aspersions, which
take various forms, are often cast at people and institutions of
faith.”
“The accusation is false and
offensive. It is intended to suppress rational dialogue and
democratic conversation, to win by insult and intimidation rather
than by reason, experience and fact.”
The brief goes on to suggest that
hostility toward gay couples isn't even relevant to the issue of
marriage.
“We further demonstrate that under
Supreme Court jurisprudence the notion of 'animus' holds limited
relevance – and none here.”
Additional briefs in support of the ban
were filed by the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy and the
Sutherland Institute of Utah.
The court has fast-tracked the cases
and scheduled oral arguments in April.