While it undoubtedly came as a surprise to many, on April 28, the United Church of Christ filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legality of Amendment One, a North Carolina law banning same-sex marriage. The law also provides criminal penalties for ministers who “officiate” a wedding in the absence of a state-issued marriage license. Needless to say, same-sex couples cannot obtain such a license. The UCC was joined in the case by clergy representing various Christian denominations and several same-sex couples. We believe that Universal Life Church ministers should join them – not only in spirit, but also in deeds.

Ironically, the UCC is using the very same argument to support equality that religious conservatives have used to deny it. Conservatives have long (and loudly) argued that legalizing same-sex marriage would infringe on their first amendment rights. This, despite the fact that such a law would not require them to perform a same-sex wedding.

The UCC suit argues that a law criminalizing the performance of a religious ceremony is an equally egregious violation of the first amendment. Just as religious conservatives should not be required to perform a wedding that infringes on their religious freedom, religious progressives should not be prevented from performing a wedding that is in harmony with their own beliefs. Any such law is a clear violation of religious freedom.

Many, particularly those who place a high priority on social justice, stand on the principle that, in the eyes of God, we are all equal. ULC ministers are certainly among them.

Churches that believe in equality must defend the sacerdotal rights of their ministers to treat all marriages equally on the grounds of religious liberty. As Universal Life Church ministers, we should join UCC clergy in their struggle. It is important that we not let an unjust law stand between us and our beliefs. To ban same-sex marriage is one thing, but to criminalize a religious ceremony that takes place, not in the public square but within our private faith community is another thing entirely.

If Universal Life Church ministers, regardless of our personal beliefs, allow this injustice to go unchallenged, we are setting ourselves up for even greater infringements on our first amendment rights in the future. To not speak out against this injustice now will leave us without a leg to stand on when future ones occur.