The Episcopal Bishop of New York Does Not Feel "Oppressed," Thanks Very Much

One of the most odious arguments against same sex marriage was that if civil marriages are recognized for gays and lesbians, it somehow "oppresses" the religious freedom of others.

I was pleased to receive this letter from Mark Sisk, the Episcopal Bishop of New York, and good guy:

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was with thanksgiving and joy that I received the news of the New York State legislature's affirmative action on the Marriage Equality legislation that it had been debating with such intensity.

The legislation, as enacted, appears to be closely aligned with the long standing views of this Diocese that the civil rights of all people should be respected equally before the law. In terms of the issue of marriage rights for gay and lesbian people that position was made most explicit in the resolution enacted at our 2009 Diocesan Convention.

The legislature's action in broadening the definition of marriage to include same sex unions has to do with civil law, as it properly should. It does not determine Church teaching about the nature of sacraments. That is our continuing work. However, nothing in the unfinished nature of that work should cause us to hesitate to give our most profound thanks for the step that has been taken in affording equal civil rights for our brothers and sisters.

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Simple, isn't it?

"A Lesson" from Smith & Kraus

"A Lesson," part of "Standards of Decency 3: 300 Vaginas Before Breakfast," will be published by Smith & Kraus in THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS 2012. Coming in December 2012.

Jon Sobel at Blogcritics on SoD3

"Another fine performance, and a dangerous one, comes from Jim Ireland as a volcanic, Svengali-like voice teacher in the mysterious A Lesson by David Johnston, whose Conversations on Russian Literature was such a success at Blue Coyote two years ago. Though we never find out what the teacher and his companion, played by the excellent Sarah Ireland, mean to do with (or to?) the young singing hopeful in the next room, the wild, character-driven story is transfixing." A very nice write up for the evening from Jon Sobel at Blogcritics.