NEWS SIDEBAR: Viewpoints on the Definition of Family

c. 2000 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Here are ways in which some religious leaders speak of the family: “Family is where you build a relationship with another person that’s deeper and more committed than friendships.” _ The Rev. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist minister and general secretary of the National Council of Churches “I think […]

c. 2000 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Here are ways in which some religious leaders speak of the family:


“Family is where you build a relationship with another person that’s deeper and more committed than friendships.”

_ The Rev. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist minister and general secretary of the National Council of Churches

“I think in the evangelical community, it’s still thought of in more traditional terms of either the extended family or the nuclear family, that is, people in one household under one roof who are related by blood or marriage … I don’t think evangelicals are prepared to accept the proposition that a family is any two or more under one roof.”

_ Forest Montgomery, a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and counsel, National Association of Evangelicals’ Office of Governmental Affairs

“I would define a family as any group of … two or more people who make their lives together that would consider themselves family.”

_ Judith Plaskow, Jewish feminist theologian and professor of religious studies at Manhattan College.

“There’s … a core norm of male and female parent and common biological and/or adoptive children.”

_ Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, evangelical Christian feminist and resident scholar at the Center for Christian Woman and Leadership at Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa.

“The ultimate definitions of relationship are rooted in love and if you can look at where and how love is present in relationship that is where you find true family.”

_ The Rev. Elder Donald Eastman, second vice moderator of the board of elders of the predominantly gay Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.


“I’m more concerned with the degree to which there is a kind of bond and caring relationships … We have got to overcome our tendencies to prejudge and to be concerned about whether the relationship is wholesome for the people.”

_ Bill D’Antonio, Catholic sociologist and visiting research professor in sociology at Catholic University of America.

DEA END RNS

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!