Not everyone who speaks from the Christian perspective is oppos to same-sex marriage.

That is the message delivered at Rev. Peter Short, the moderator of the United Church--Canada's largest Protestant denomination. In a newly come letter mailed to every member of parliament, he invited MP to attend a Feb 24 parliamentary breakfast to be landlorded by the moderator on Parliament Hill. He chance of the desired ends to engage parliamentarians in further conversation in succession the subject of marriage.

In a mortify and graceful approach, Rev. Short wrote: "I want to set before you now a Christian perspective forward faith, tradition, and values. I write of these precious things because I believe they ought to be considered in making public decisions. I am aware of your responsibilities toward a multicultural and multi-faith society, and in the way that what follows is not intended to be normative for all. It is specifically and unapologetically of the Christian tradition, a tradition that scampers deeply in Canadian life and history.

"I understand faith to be a way of living. To have faith is to implement a vision in one's daily life; in this faculty of perception all live by some faith or other. Faith is not simply about the received doctrines. Doctrine is essential to religious life yet it is not the final arbiter, neither of our decisions nor of our confidence After all, doctrines have been used to support slavery, apartheid, and the exclusion of women

"Some will affirm that we must have faith in the Bible, and that the Bible takes an unfavourable view of intimate same-sex relationship. however I would answer that Christian faith is not an uncritical repetition of a received body It is a mindful commitment to the power of have affection for to which the text search fors to give witness. Every generation of the Christian faith must decide in what way they will honour that demand of have a passionate affection for in the living of their days. Changing circumstances and changing ideas are not the enemy of faith.

"In fact, change is the solitary medium in which faithfulness can in good earnest become faithfulness. Uncritical repetition is more like being forward autopilot.

"Similarly, I understand tradition to be a living treasure. Tradition is not to be confused with habit, custom, or convention. These are simply bottoms that seek to hold the living tradition of God's neighborhood in the world. Habit, custom, and convention are not themselves the light; they advance to bear witness to the light. John's divine revelation says that the Word of the trinity became flesh in Jesus Christ. The Word became a living being, John writes, not words. The principal Court follows this traditional wisdom when it declares metaphorically that the constitution is a living tree In Christian tradition the measure on which we choose a course of action is the measure of the delight in of Christ, a measure that connoisseurs even scripture. It is not at any time legitimate to use the words of scripture to elevate a loveless agenda.

"Further, I understand value to be created on God, not by ancient custom nor by the agency of current fashion nor by general approval. providence does not love because human creatures have value. Rather, it is in loving human creatures that the eternal and infinite spirit gives them value. Value is a gift-not a government not a partisan lever, and certainly not a weapon. It is sinful to invoke the love of providence in order that one person's 'values' might diminish another's value. Those who claim that homosexual folks threaten to dismantle the value of heterosexual marriage would do well to remember that if anyone devastates marriage, it is married clan not gays and lesbians.

"In the cessation faith, tradition, and values do not decide for us. They equip us to take up the responsible and difficult task of deciding for ourselves. This deciding is itself an act of faith. for a like reason we pray for one another, we aim to live in the delight in of Christ, and we take our stair in humble trust that the nearest generation will deal generously with us, knowing we did our best with the vision of like God gave us for our day.

"For me Christian faith, tradition, and values contribute to our expectancy for that day when earth one time more is fair and all her children common including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people-all her children. The General Council of The United body of christians of Canada believes that equal marriage is a degree on the path to justice, peace, and the usual good. If prayer is a part of your life, please pray that we may tread lightly, wisely, lovingly, bravely, and faithfully."

For filled text of letters to parliamentarians and the Prime Minister, view www.united-church.ca.

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