To the editor:

I was pleased today to learn that the Office for Governmental Affairs of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) joined 25 other religious organizations to urge members of the U.S. Congress to reject the proposed “federal marriage amendment.” The director, Karen Vagley, pointed out that this was not a statement about homosexuality or gay marriage, but reflected the church’s concern for civil rights. “All of our positions and statements are based on policy statements that have been approved by the church body,” said Vagley.

Among other points, the letter recalled differing opinions of churches on rights for same-sex couples. The First Amendment provides the right for religious organizations to define and practice marriage, making a constitutional amendment unnecessary. Individual faith traditions retain the prerogative to practice in accordance with their doctrinal beliefs. No definition was needed for more than 200 years. Our American way endorses freedom of religious practice and pluralism.

The letter to our officials concluded: Congress must be urged to “soundly reject any attempt to enshrine in the Constitution a particular religious viewpoint on a matter of such fundamental religious importance.”

Don Conrad,

Lawrence