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I know that this only affects Jews and I know that this only affects Jews in a comparatively small area of the USA, but nevertheless I think that it is highly significant that three congregations (not rabbis but congregations!) band together to place an ad in a national newspaper. Here is the ad:
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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Damnation! I have no idea why the pic didn't upload. Apologies. Here's trying again:
J F R
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Attachment: Ad.jpg
(Size: 262.01KB, Downloaded 458 times)
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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Thanks and God bless you, JFR!
Reading about the decision it is different from seeing how congregations put it into action.
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daffey44
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Getting started |
Location: USA
Registered: March 2004
Messages: 23
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It's not merely a few Jews in a small area of the U.S.
The Reform movement represents the largest faction of Jews in North America, from Canada to the southern Caribbean. The association of Reform congregations -- the Union for Reform Judaism or UJA -- and the professional society of Reform rabbis -- the Central Conference of American Rabbis or CCAR -- are both on record supporting full civil rights for gays, including same-gender civil marriages. The CCAR began ordaining gay rabbis several years ago, well before the Conservative movement even began discussing the issue. The CCAR has also developed a special liturgy for blessing same-gender couples who want a Jewish wedding.
Now with the Conservative movement joining the lead of the Reform movement, an overwhelming majority of North American Jews find themselves represented by organizations that support gay marriage and gay rabbis. Of course, Judaism is not a hierarchical religion. What the UJR, CCAR, and United Synagogue (representing Conservative congregations) decide is not binding on any congregation, rabbi, or layman. However, since the organizations are governed by the congregations and rabbis (the inmates run the asylums), the positions of those organizations are generally the positions of Reform and Conservative Jews.
The ad was placed by three congregations in the San Francisco Bay area. However, there are Jewish congregations in the Los Angeles area that are predominantly gay. There are also congregations that are predominantly not gay that have gay members and even gay rabbis. I know of a Reform congregation in southern California -- the only Reform congregation in a city of over 120,000 population -- that until recently had a gay cantor along with two non-gay rabbis (one of whom is a woman).
The problem is not a lack of Jewish congregations that accept and even embrace gays. The problem is that the positions of Reform and Conservative organizations in support of gay Jews is relatively unknown. While the news tells us of Catholic bishops and Baptist ministers railing against gays, statements by our rabbis in support of gay rights are rarely reported.
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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This is one of the reasons I encourage news like this here 
All publicicty for a global religion on matters like this, especially where it is at odds with the law of major lands affected, is great news
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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