These pastors are clearly not doing their job. The job of a pastor is to preach and teach the Word of God. And the Bible clearly says that sex between people of the same sex is a sin. So to support this is going againest the Word of God. Now all of you who are going to go off about whether the Bible is the Word of God or if there even is a God that doesn't matter. The pastor of a Christian church clearly believes in God and that the Bible is the Word of God. And if they go againest that they shouldn't be in that job. As far as what would Jesus say. He would say the same thing he said to the prostitute. "I forgive you. Now go and sin no more."

if the standard for marriage is destroyed (1 man and 1 woman; 6,000 years of history), then what standard is safe? If a man can "marry" a man, why can't two women marry a man? 3 women, 1 man. 3 men, 1 woman. If no one gets hurt, how about 1 man and his dog? 1 woman and her cat? it is a "partnership" after all. Why is polygamy wrong?

Two same sex people together is a partnership. We simply cannot afford to give any more benefits out, which is what is going on here. Also, the strongest support for gay marriage is matrimonial attorneys. We hetros give them too much business as is!

Benefits or married people were based upon the fact that a marriage is good for a stable society. Marriage is, by defintion, a man and a woman. Just because a special interest group wants to give a new meaning to a word, does not change the reality the word represents. Two eggs, scrambled on a pan, no matter what you call them, nor no matter how much time has past, will always be scrambled eggs. You can call them "oranges" if you like, but it does not change what they are.

Let's keep the definitions clear here. Democracy? Look at California! The gay community wanted the question put to the public. Now that they got the answer, they want to sue. Why? they did not like the answer.

right on Kaiser!!!!

SethFortier and Kaiser.... you have it... Pretty soon all standards will be gone it will be anarchy.... I do not know why the gay people can't accept a civil union. It is the same thing, different words, but the feel they need a MARRIAGE - just to take something away from us, not so much for them to have it. If it means the same thing legally then they should be happy. Why try to take something away from straight folks? If we were to try and take something away from another minority we would be creating a big scandal!! Definition- Marriage:the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. OFFOSITE SEX PEOPLE.... Get your own word!

Why cant we all just get along???

Do married gays get any more rights than married heteros???

Evolution people...accept it or become extinct.

I guess the one thing consistant about America is its ability to see an injustice and then do something about it...some would call that "change"

We take on the established thinking and create a New thought...that...effects lives for years to come....till a better one comes along.

Yes...u got it right..."Marriage" is a biblical term , union between man and woman...(if u cant see where this is going, that may be why u are so resistant to change).

But we dont live in Ancient Israel, or 4,000 years before that, Do we...???

No, we live in a Dynamic,tolerant and increasing more complex society...to think that the rules of the past always apply to the present is to be Ignorant of the Progress of mankind.

Gays will someday be able to be "Married"....all we need to do is change the definition of Marriage...then all of the Tolerant Religious types will be happy.

The world is going straight to Hell on greased ball bearings!

Straight as in Hetero.

Bible thumpers don't want to recruit any longer they want to fornicate and multiply!

religion should have nothing to do with the government! be thankful people can find love in whomever they chose!

WIth the amount of divorces there are I don't see why people want to get married in the first place It cost a lot going in and more getting out.

Here's a link to an article about what some lesbians did this past Sunday at a Bible-teaching Church in Michigan. Read the article and then decide which side acted in a loving manner. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80743

Sick, twisted, freaks to put it mildly. I knew this crap was coming down the pike after they passed the law giving them more rights. If we don't start now, we will have gay marriage shoved down our throats. Help stop the insanity and attack against our morals and values: http://mainemarriageamendment.com/

dmmayer listen to yourself "We take on the established thinking and create a New thought...that...effects lives for years to come....till a better one comes along." That is what the gay people want... Most heteros do not want to change this. It is fine the way it is! It is not an injustice.. they can have the same type of union, just call it soemthing else. I don't care if they have a civil union with all the benefits etc and call themselves husband and wife... Just don't call it marriage because marriage since the dawn of time is between a man and a woman. We are not saying these people of a different lifestyle can't have the same privelidges, just call it something else.... Some things are tradition and better left alone.

Look at the Greeks, the males have been humping each other for years, did not matter how old they were. One Greek philosopher stated that 8-80 blind crippled or crazy, the only thing he turned down was little boy's. He just turn them face down. Now that sounds kind of sick to me, but with the new generation of people they might find it acceptable.

Our Nation is on a moral down-hill slide due to minority groups pushing their warped falues on the rest of us. It's a very sick society who changes the laws to suit these people. I think it's sad to bring children up in that environment. A true Christian Pastor does not support this issue so those churches who have gay and lesbian pastors are not Christian and their churches are splitting because of it.

Proverbs 14:12 (King James Version), Proverbs 16:25 (King James Version): "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

And what about Old King David being given a young virgin to sleep with him in his extreme old age?

It is written in the Bible that there was no sex between them.

Wouldn't a sheep skin blanket have done just as well?

Evolution dmmayer? There won't be anymore evolution if men marry men and women marry women.

The Virgin by the way was to keep the old fellah warm.

Just like Lot's daughters raped their father Lot in a cave after they got him drunk so they could have children as there were no men around after the destruction.

And what about Queen Esther who arranged a wife swaping drunken sex orgy for her husband and a nearby King because she was secretly Jewish and wanted to protect her fellow believers in God?

Are you slimmy perverts going to force me me to continue to tell filthy sexually sodden stories from the Bible, or are you just going to shut up and let people marry whomever they wish to marry?

Jeeze!

Did you know it took several years to figure out why when I was in the Navy I would once and a while wake up with a sore butt and the taste of ether on my breath. I thought my roommate had a diesel truck but I realized he did not. Now I know. I think I need counseling.

Actually Mainelyme that sounds interesting. I may take up reading the bible. I always fall asleep in church. I always look foward to the food after. Oysters anyone?

Stevey sick, just sick.... but way too funny also!! Also thank you boogyman for the first point to come to my mind. The story said that they worry about the kids of same sex unions. I was really confused about where those kids were coming from. Glad to know I didn't miss the most important day of science class after all.

I wonder why the church leaders find it necessary to take a political stance on something so volitile as this. Did not God and the Lord Jesus Christ set the moral standard and it was put into print? That has been our teaching and belief for thousands of years. Why do they think that they have the moral obligation to make such a stand that goes against all our beliefs. The liberals scream that we need seperation between church and state, we can't pray in schools, we can't display the 10 commandments in public buildings, we try to hide religion behind a dark shroud as if we need to shun it. Then we have so called religious leaders forming a coalition and making a political stand. WHAT GIVES PEOPLE!!!?? Seperation between church and state? You take a political stance, especially one as unpopular as this that goes against the majority belief, then it's time to give up your tax free status as a church because now you are a political organization and you don't rate that break. God is the one that gave us our basic human rights, not you people.

Congregational church?? Oh, yes, Reverrearend Jarimiah Wright's church. Sometimes a name says alot.

"Minister"..... This word has a pretty loose connotation now days. Looser 'n my X-wife or the kingpins on my Ford.

mainelyone:

Oh, really?

Majority?

And when did you finish taking the census?

The bible is a work of fiction for the feeble minded. It is a text that was written hundreds of years ago by shrewd men to exploit the weakness of the uneducated. If one loooks at the problems of the world, religion is usually the root of the cause. Catholic v. Protestant in Northern Ireland; Sunni v Shia in Iraq; Muslim v Christian. There is nothing wrong with individual spirituality but the group mentality that comes with organized religion is disturbing, very disturbing. Religion is finally beginning to evolve in the 21st century. It will need to evolve or become a relic of the past embraced only by the most gullible in society. I applaud these pastors for their commitment to the most noble of religious ideals... goodwill and love to others

These so-called religious leaders who espouse same-sex marriage as a "moral obligation" are a bunch of damned phonies and hypocrites who wouldn't recognize a moral obligation if they tripped over it. No wonder churches are losing parishoners in droves. A more appropriate name for their organization would be the Coalition for Buggery, Sodomy, Perversion, and Unnatural Acts. And they ought to have the good sense and decency to leave "Religious" out of it.

Uh, knine, I think what you intended to say is that true Biblical religion should have nothing to do with government. You obviously have no problem with these "pastors" spouting their drivel.

Ministers my rear end.........They are no more ministers than I am Tom Bradys' replacement. What a joke...........The Bible is very clear on this issue. There is no gray area. God is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It's time for us conservatives and christians to take our country back from the vocal minority that tries to shove their agenda down our throats......

Well typed out Downeastdave. The fundies always come out to protect their god and bible with these types of stories and it is nice to read a post from someone that is educated.

Hell was created to drive more people into church and scared them into worshiping the invisible man in the sky and that is fact, not fiction. Those that worshiped the so called jesus back in the day where uneducated people and the church took advantage of that. It is also known fact that Constantine decided that all men should worship the invisible sky wizard and if you did not, they would kill you, it was that simple.

If gay/lesbo couples want to marry, let them. If they want to raise a family, let them. You fundies can take your bible and shove it where the sun does not shine. Sickens me how others want to control the world because of a stupid book.

Again, well typed out Downeastdave. As an atheist I cannot let the fundies off as easily as you did.

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

The decendants of Lot have accused their enemies of yet another Hebrew Sect of adding the story of Lot being raped by his own daughters to have children as a way to prove that the grandchildren of Lot were all imbred.

Now that shows right there that even Bilbical Tribe Members admit that the Bible has been rewritten according to whim!

answer for ezekiel: A) When I burn a bull on my backyard altar we call it "grillin out " b) Your daughter gets $20 dollars on the corner of 8th and Main when she's needing some more crack. c) take the offer and buy bleach which can be purcaced at any supermrket (they didnt have bleach in the old days). d) slaves will help you out if you know how to grow cotton.....do you.....just as I suspected, an immitation farmer. when the basket is full what do you do with it????.... just as I suspected you don't know. You can't train slaves, you are too stupid. e) working on the sabbath? From what I know of Maine people, working is as foreign as good sex and isn't an issue in Maine on any day, ever : see how it's done in Florida. @ floridasex.com. f) shellfish eat turds but they taste so good that it is permissable if you like turds. g) yes you are indeed defective and if the dealership had a warantee you should be sent back h) duh i) wash your hands, moron j) I can't believe were actually getting all the way to "j"...awesome, I'm sure...well, I planted seeds in your aunt as did all the football teams in new england and your uncle didn't feel like planting the crop so you may not actually be related to these folks. as if we need another letter.....K) ok ezekiel where the f--- did you get the crack rock in Maine?? and did anyoun ever tell you that it played havoc on the neurons in your brain?

2nd answer for Ezekiel: If you were to read the Bible with an open-mind (not something that skeptics and atheists are terribly good at), you would understand that while God does not change, the way in which He relates to man does indeed change. This is why specific earthly rules were given to Israel during the days of the law. When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled the law, including the ultimate penalty for sin, making it null and void.

That's why, after the Jews rejected the Christ and crucified Him, God began to unfold His plan for both Jew and Gentile, that of the church in this modern age of grace. As you read the New Testament, from Acts forward, you don't see any of these physical commands (shellfish, sabbath, etc.) repeated. However, you do see clear instructions concerning immorality and specifically homosexuality (see Romans 1).

I'm sure that this, because you are OPEN-MINDED and were CONFIDENT that someone could help, has been cleared up for you.

And Kevin, the first mention of Hell is in Deuteronomy, which was written well before the birth of Christ. Can you clarify for me what church Moses might have been attending at the time? If you're going to rant hysterically, at least get your facts right.

Lastly, tsk, tsk...one would think that a proponent of inclusivity and diversity wouldn't display such vitriol in his post. Where's the love? Where's the understanding? Where's the acceptance? Oh, I get it, diversity and inclusion don't apply to Bible-believing Christians...silly me...

You only have your stupid book to refer to. Learn the truth. Sadly you never will. You are nothing but a fundie and nothing more.

You are the fundie that always cries and complains when someone attacks your faith.

THERE IS NO GOD.

You don't know that there is no God. Thank you dirigodad for making a good point. Kevin of Bangor is so full of himself that he fails to see that he is doing exactly what he accuses Christians of - being intolerant. I choose to believe in the Bible - that is my choice. Kevin of Bangor you can choose NOT to believe in the Bible - that is YOUR choice. You want us to be tolerant of homosexuals. Why don't you set the example by being tolerant of people with views that are different than yours. Talk about being a hypocrite. A true Christian does not hate anyone, including ignorant people like you. However, a true Christian also lives by the words in the NEW Testament of the Bible. If we lived by the words in the Old Testament, then we would be Jews, not Christians. I don't hate people that are gay. But marriage is a religious institution while a civil union is a government institution. If gays want to have a civil union, then that is for the government to decide - and the people are the government. However, religious people should be allowed to decide who can get married in a church setting and call it a marriage.

God has never been big on churches and churches have historically shown little regard for God.

Apart from the religious authorities, the pharisees, harassing Jesus everywhere he went, when the civil authority, Pontius Pilate, pronounced Jesus innocent the religious right threatened to denounce Pilate as a traitor to Caesar.

But now we see formal churches not burning witches at the stake, not conducting the Inquisition, but in fact providing moral leadership. If anyone says there is no God, if anyone believes we are ever beyond redemption, I say, look to the grace of God in these fervent souls, hear God speak in their words, and know that God can be found even in religion.

I for one love how lib's love to consider them selves the people of acceptance. If your a woman who thinks she is a small boy, but you like to dress up like a goat unstead. no problem... we except you, everyone and every thing is ok, you are your own boss, whatever you want to think is ok. oh wait, unless you believe that a loving God sent his son to die in attonement for the sin that we all have, well then you are way to weird and deserve ridicule.

The sloppy reporting begins with the first sentence of this piece. It SHOULD read: " religious leaders across the state...." As usual, the omission of proper context, all too typical of the activist J-school graduate masquerading as a reporter, creates the false impression that this odious 'movement' is bigger and more momentous than it really is. 120 "leaders" mentioned, no mention of the thousands of other religious leaders in Maine alone who do not, and will not, participate in this most misguided endeavor.

God loves everyone. He doesn't always like our choices. However, He loves all.

I want to comment on a statement in the article stating that same-sex couple should be assured "full human rights". Marriage is not a human right. There is a difference between a right and a privilege. Marriage is a privilege.

God defined marriage in Genesis 2:18-24. God is the creator of marriage. He designed it. Therefore, as a creator He can design it however He desires. As creator of marriage (and the world), God defined marriage in Genesis as a union of one man and one woman. We might not like it but it IS the Word of God.

I'm concerned about where these religious leaders have received their education in theology...what else is skewed? Be Biblically-based - Be in the world but not of the world. I will pray that the light is revealed to these religious leaders as their work is not Biblically sound. I will pray in love and for knowledge and wisdom.

The only threat to marriage the alarmingly high divorce rate. We Christians need to ban together and work on our own marriages and pass a law in Maine prohibiting DIVORCE. If we want to protect marriage so bad we need to stop it from ending... otherwise we're a bunch of hypocrites.

This is sick, and I hope the question of gay marriage is answered by a statewide referendum, and not by the legislature with no consideration for their constituants opinions. Let the majority opinion stand.

This type pf situation is a CONSTANT argument in my home, My father in law is a pastor and is against gay marriage as well as abortion. My husband and teenage son have become just like so many other "religious" believers, Let me remind the world of one thing...The one thing I have to remind MY OWN FAMILY of EVERYDAY!!!......Although homosexuality is a sin.....The bible also says....THY SHALL NOT JUDGE............So to all of you bigetting religious believers out there.....Stop using the bible as an "excuse" for your hatred..Live the word of the bible that is plain for all to read...Love thy Neighbor...That doesn't mean whom lives next door...It means to love everyone even with their sin and fault.......THY SHALL NOT JUDGE.....A CAMMANDMENT.....Soooooo All of you whom preach that homosexuals are going to hell.....You'll be right behind them for sure......Think of that the next time you use Christianity as an excuse to be a biggett or belittle others....

If this were a novel, this would be Chapter II ------Chapter I would have been 'priests and alter boys'.

And " Be Good For Goodness Sake

Hats off to the ministers for trying to end the right wing cycle of hate

*Laughing* are you all serious? Im a straight female, never been with member of same sex. And I totally support those who chose whoever they want. Big deal!!! If gays/lesbians can adopt children and live together, why not allow them to marry one another? As long as their not making out in public or something I really see no hurt in it. Yes, children of these people may suffer in school with the jokes/harrassment but when they come home to a loving family (if thats the case) then so be it. For most of you making comments, it seems you are religious? I am a Irish Catholic, but was raised to accept everyone for who they are. My Uncle is gay...been with the same man for 30 years, would never guess he was gay but WHOSE TO JUDGE his lifestyle other than "The big Boss"...Anywho..hope all is well out there!

I assume that these ministers who have got together to speak in favor of same-sex marriage are merely stating their own opinions and aren't claiming to speak on behalf of and as representatives of their congregations and churches.

Hey , I would really like lots of letters to the editor on this one folks. As is typical of LEFTIST media abuse , the BDN made it seem as if the view point of just a very few of so called ministers represented a group consensus of all christian leaders in the state as per the very first sentence of this "article". Although the ministers were specified later in the said article and turned out NOT to be representative of the bulk of Bible believing Christians ,I'm sure people can see that the phrasing was such as to intimate full agreement on this very critical issue....BIAS in reporting???? Anyone else feel this way??!! I say "Shame on you, Bangor Daily News"

I am shocked to think that pastors/ministers would even think about supporting and promoting this type of an act in the name of FREEDOM. The pastors job is to preach the gospel and help people to live the life that God wants them to live. Instead, they are condoning an act that is an abomination unto God. It is in the scriptures and the pastors need to get their acts together and see what thus saith the Lord. I would not want to attend a church where they are not preaching against sin. There is a scripture in Jeremiah 50:6, that is against pastors who do not preach the truth to to the people and cause them to be LOST. Our main goal should be to bring God back into our NATION in his rightful place which is 1ST in everything. I would not want to stand in front of an angry GOD during judgment in these pastors shoes. SHAME ON YOU!!!! You cannot pick and choose a scripture for your own translation. However do not misunderstand me, if a homosexual attends my church he/she is very welcome, however we will not condone his/her lifestyle. If he/she wants to live for Jesus Christ then repentance(a change of his/her lifestyle must be done according to the scriptures as it is written).

I like how this church stands by their principles and beliefs and still has respect for others whose opinions are different than their own. Check it out.

http://newsroom.lds.org:80/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/first-presidency-urges-respect-civility-in-public-discourse

This is also worth watching. It is very thoughtful and clear. I appreciate what David Bednar says about the ripple effect.

Sorry aboput that last link. This one is also very interesting. Clear and sensitive. Tolerance has to be a two way street. Don't you think?

http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/California_Broadcast_8Oct08.flv&type=FLV

Man, if you listen to some of the Pro-gay anything goes posts here, then they would be perfectly OK with a man marrying his daughter. I mean really, if they love each other, then who are we to judge? It's and Obamanation I tell you. Obamanation.

This whole conversation is so yesterday!

I disagree... this whole conversation is soooo tomorrow. What kind of society will our children ,who were formed from unions between one man and one woman, grow up in??

kjpkjp:

Hopefully a better one than what we have today!

boogeyman, incest is more of a hetero thing.