Mission Statement of the Religion Coalition for Marriage

The Religious Coalition for Marriage is an ad hoc, interfaith committee of America�s Religious Leaders who share a common concern for the well-being of marriage in our nation. Throughout America, marriage is under attack like it has never been before. As the leaders of America�s faithful, we accept our grave responsibility for the protection of marriage, and although we do not share full unity on a host of important theological beliefs, we can all agree and affirm � with one united voice � the definition, nature and purpose of marriage. Marriage is the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman pledging mutual support and love for each other and for any children their marital bond may produce.

This unprecedented cooperation between the highest ranking leaders of America�s religious communities is brought about because of the sheer importance of the issue. That such a broad coalition of diverse religious leaders is capable of being formed, however, is the result of the universality of the institution of marriage. For marriage is not the creature of any one religion: marriage is a universal institution that has God as its author. Therefore, it is not something that any faith community � nor political community � can redefine. Marriage is a natural institution � with its own particular characteristics and features � that precedes any particular political or legal system. This is why believers (from many diverse communities) and non-believers alike can understand and affirm the nature of the marital good and its centrality in a well ordered society.

We, the leaders of the nation�s Jewish and Christian � Anglican, African-American, Catholic, Evangelical, Latter-day Saints, Lutheran, Orthodox, and Presbyterian � communities commit ourselves to working together to preserve, promote, and protect this central institution of personal and communal life. It is for the good of children, spouses, and society as a whole that we undertake this task.