Declaring The Sanctity Of Life & The Dignity Of All
We come together as senior religious leaders, academics, and lay leaders from around the world to affirm the sanctity of life and dignity of all.
We affirm that all human beings of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions are a precious part of creation and are part of the natural order.
We affirm that we are all equal under God, whom many call the Divine, and so we are all equal to one another.
We, therefore, call for all to be treated equally under the law.
We recognize with sadness that certain religious teachings have often, throughout the ages, caused and continue to cause deep pain and offense to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.
We acknowledge, with profound regret, that some of our teachings have created, and continue to create, oppressive systems that fuel intolerance, perpetuate injustice and result in violence. This has led, and continues to lead, to the rejection and alienation of many by their families, their religious groups and cultural communities.
We ask for forgiveness from those whose lives have been damaged and destroyed on the pretext of religious teaching.
We believe that love and compassion should be the basis of faith and that hatred can have no place in religion.
We call on all nations to put an end to criminalisation on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, for violence against LGBT+ people to be condemned and for justice to be done on their behalf.
We call for all attempts to change, suppress or erase a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression – commonly known as “conversion therapy” – to end, and for these harmful practices to be banned.
Finally, we call for an end to the perpetuation of prejudice and stigma and commit to work together to celebrate inclusivity and the extraordinary gift of our diversity
Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives
The Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives is an initiative that began in the UK and is spreading around the world. I signed this statement as it reflects my understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, my deeply held religious beliefs, my careful study and reading of Christian holy Scripture, and God’s eschatological vision for creation.
Peace, dwight
