c. 2006 Religion News Service

“The bottom line here is that the entire court said that there must be a remedy for the inequality that bars same-sex couples from marriage.”

_ David Buckel, director of the Marriage Project for Lambda Legal

“While it is true, from a Catholic perspective, that Jesus elevated this institution (marriage) to the level of a sacrament, this does not make marriage the creation of any religious community _ including the Catholic Church. … Even if marriage were a type of institution that could be redefined, it would not be up to a court to decide whether to redefine it.”

_ Roman Catholic Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, N.J.

“The New Jersey decision only involves the protection and benefits of civil marriage _ not religious ceremonies. This case does not affect religious institutions’ freedom to decide if they want to honor and recognize same-sex unions.”

_ Joe Solomonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign

“This is a plus for those of us who have been pressing for a constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman. Indeed, this is a wake-up call to the vast majority of Americans who are opposed to gay marriage but are reluctant to access the constitutional amendment as the right remedy.”

_ Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League

“We are taught in the very beginning of the Torah that God created all humans … in the Divine Image. … The stamp of the Divine is present in every human being, and we cannot accept discrimination, such as limiting the right to civil marriage, against any individual.”

_ Randi Musnitsky, regional director of the Union for Reform Judaism

“The New Jersey Supreme Court has blatantly and arrogantly ordered the state Legislature to rip up what marriage has meant for thousands of years. The justices have made clear their disdain and disrespect for the true decision-makers in our democracy _ the people _ as well as for the institution of marriage.”

_ James Dobson, chairman and founder of Focus on the Family

“The citizens of New Jersey should be proud that their state is a leader in the growing movement to extend basic civil rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. We encourage them to urge their Legislature to act swiftly to end discrimination in the state’s marriage laws.”

_ The Rev. William G. Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

“If marriage can mean anything, then marriage means nothing. … The court was right to conclude there is no fundamental right to same-sex `marriage,’ but to characterize marriage as just another option along with other `unions’ makes marriage meaningless.”

_ Glen Lavy, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund

“The New Jersey court’s opinion belies the distorted reasoning that would frame equality as a threat to the moral fabric of American society. In recognizing the equal needs and rights of same-sex couples and their children, this decision gives hope to all gay and lesbian Americans.”

_ Paige Schilt, media director for Soulforce

“This should provide enough evidence for courts and legislators to quit abusing marriage by pretending it is less important or demanding than it is. It’s utter discrimination to claim a woman is unnecessary, or a man is unnecessary, to make a marriage.”

_ Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America

“By mandating that the New Jersey Legislature enact same-sex `marriage’ or civil unions, the court ignores the unique benefits of marriage between one man and one woman. Society gives benefits to marriage because marriage gives benefits to society. This decision is out of step with the recent string of court decisions upholding the rational basis for traditional marriage in promoting the well-being of children.”

_ Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council

KRE/PH END RNS

Editors: See mainbar, RNS-NJ-GAYMARRIAGE and related sidebars RNS-NJ-IMPACT and RNS-NJ-QANDA, all transmitted Oct. 26.