Mixed reactions on gay marriage bill

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York's new law allowing same-sex marriage is drawing mixed reaction from the State's religious community.

The Bible teaches that marriage is the union of a man and a woman. But human and civil rights philosophies teach us that all people are equal, and should enjoy equal freedoms.

Those diametrically-opposed ways of thinking have ignited debate about same-sex marriage within some congregations.

Some, including the Episcopal Church, are embracing that debate, and looking for ways to evolve their faith.

Bishop R. William Franklin of the Episcopal Diocese of WNY said, "Many Episcopalians believe that in community, we can discern with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a way in which the letter of Scripture is compatible with a wider inclusion of the life of partner gay and lesbian people in our community. And that would apply, now, to the question of marriage."

Others are choosing to adhere to more traditional views.

The New York State Catholic Conference responded to the Senate's decision to legalize same-sex marriages Friday night by saying, in part:

"We strongly uphold the Catholic Church's clear teaching that we always treat our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love. But we just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman."

Dr. Stanford Bratton, who heads a local organization that's dedicated to helping different faiths better understand one another, compares the gay marriage debate to the abortion controversy.

Supporters and opponents will never reconcile their beliefs, but Bratton thinks they don't have to, to get along civilly.

"What we talk about, working with different religious traditions, is to learn how to respect the other person. Understand, you may disagree with them, but they have integrity. They're not this monster, or they're not this person that just has no values," said Dr. Bratton.

The whole point of the amendment to the same-sex marriage law that Senate Republicans spent all week hashing out was to protect religious freedom.

It was intentionally worded so that each religious group can have this debate, and decide on its own course of action.