In recent years, same-sex marriage has been a contentious subject within many religious groups in the U.S. Here is an overview of where 16 religious groups stand on this issue. 

American Baptist Churches USA

In 2005, the governing body of the American Baptist Churches USA affirmed that "God's design for sexual intimacy places it within the context of marriage between one man and one woman" and that "homosexuality is incompatible with Biblical teaching." In 2006, the church's Pacific Southwest regional board (which includes churches in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona) split from the denomination because the denomination’s national leadership declined to penalize congregations that welcomed openly gay members.

• "American Baptist Churches USA: Responses/Actions Pertaining to Homosexuality" (2005) (PDF)
• Baptist Press, "Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Will Meet With Troubled ABC (USA) in 2007" 
• Baptist Press, "Split Among American Baptists Over Homosexuality Is Final" (2006) 

Buddhism

There is no universal Buddhist position on same-sex marriage. According to some interpretations of the Buddha's teachings, one of the 10 non-virtuous deeds that lead to suffering is "sexual misconduct." This term is generally understood to refer primarily to adultery. However, some Buddhists interpret the term to include homosexuality.

• The Buddhist Channel, "Religion and Same-Sex Marriage" 
• Religionfacts.com, "Homosexuality and Buddhism" 

Catholicism

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes same-sex marriage on the ground that "marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman." In 2003, the conference stated that "what are called 'homosexual unions' [cannot be given the status of marriage] because they do not express full human complementarity and because they are inherently nonprocreative." And in 2006, the conference reaffirmed its previously stated support for a federal marriage amendment (a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman).

• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "Bishops' Administrative Committee Reaffirms Support For Federal Marriage Amendment" (2006) 
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "U.S. Catholic Bishops' Administrative Committee Calls For Protection of Marriage" (2003) 
• The Vatican, "Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons" (2003) 
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, For Your Marriage, "Same-Sex Unions" 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)

Mormon theology stipulates that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God." As a result, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not endorse same-sex marriage.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" 
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Topics, "Same-Gender Attraction" 

Episcopal Church

Although the Episcopal Church has not explicitly established a position in favor of same-sex marriage, in 2006 the church stated its "support of gay and lesbian persons and [opposition to] any state or federal constitutional amendment" prohibiting same-sex marriages or civil unions (Resolution A095). Furthermore, in 2009, the church's national convention voted to give bishops the option to bless same-sex unions (Resolution C056).

• Episcopal Church, Office of Public Affairs media release, "Task forces to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources for same-sex blessings" (2010) 
• Episcopal Church, General Convention 2006 Legislation, Resolution A095 
• Episcopal Church, General Convention 2009 Legislation, Resolution C056 

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The ELCA defines marriage as "a lifelong covenant of faithfulness between a man and a woman."  In August 2009, however, the church adopted a social statement on human sexuality that supports a wide diversity of families, including those of same-gender couples. While the ELCA has no official rite for same-gender unions, at its 2009 churchwide assembly it voted to "allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, "Social Statement: Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" (2009) 
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “Sexuality: Some Common Convictions” (1996) 

Hinduism

There is no official Hindu position on same-sex marriage. Some Hindus condemn the practice of homosexuality, but others cite ancient Hindu texts, such as the Kama Sutra, that describe homosexual behavior.

• Hinduism Today, "Discussions on Dharma" 
• Human Rights Campaign, "Stances of Faiths on GLBT Issues: Hinduism" 

Islam

Islamic law forbids homosexuality, and the practice of homosexuality is a crime in many Islamic countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.

• Islamic Research Foundation International, "Same-Sex Marriage and Marriage in Islam" 
• Religionfacts.com, "Homosexuality and Islam" 

Judaism

While the Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements support gay and lesbian rights, including same-sex marriage, they allow individual rabbis to choose not to officiate at the weddings of gay and lesbian couples. The Conservative movement, which as a whole does not sanctify gay marriage, allows individual rabbis to choose to recognize same-sex unions. Orthodox Judaism does not accept same-sex marriage. After the Conservative movement gave rabbis permission to conduct same-sex unions in 2006, several Orthodox organizations issued a joint statement criticizing this decision, saying it violated Jewish law.

Reform movement:

• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, "Reform Movement Perspective" 
• Central Conference of American Rabbis, “Resolution on Same Gender Officiation” (2000) 

Reconstructionist movement:

• Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, "Reconstructionist Movement Joint Statement on Same-Sex Marriage Bans" (2008) 
• Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, "Resolution In Support Of Civil Marriage For Same-Sex Couples" (2004) 

Conservative movement:

• Rabbinical Assembly, "Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards Concludes Meeting on Issue of Homosexuality and Halakha" (2006) (Word Document)

Orthodox Judaism:

• Union of Orthodox Congregations of America, “Orthodox Response to Same-Sex Marriage” (2006) 
• Rabbinical Council of America, “Response to Rabbinical Assembly's Decisions Regarding Ordination of Gays and Lesbians, and ‘Commitment Ceremonies’ ” (2006) 

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

In 2006, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod reaffirmed its position that same-sex marriage is "contrary to the will of the Creator." At its 2010 national convention, the LCMS responded to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s 2009 decision (which gave ELCA congregations the option to support lifelong, monogamous, same-sex relationships) by restating the LCMS position that homosexuality is a sin “in any and all situations” and by encouraging the ELCA to reconsider its decision.

• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “FAQs: Same-Sex Marriage” 
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, “Synod responds to ELCA’s actions on homosexuality” (2010) 
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Resolution 3-01A, "To Commend ILC and Task Force Statements as Responses to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Actions" (2010) (PDF)
• The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, "Legislation Regarding Same-Sex Civil Unions" (2006) (PDF)

National Association of Evangelicals

In 2004, the National Association of Evangelicals reaffirmed its 1985 resolution that homosexuality is not sanctioned by the Bible. Thus the group does not support gay marriage or civil unions.

• National Association of Evangelicals, "NAE Resolution on Homosexuality" (2004) 
• National Association of Evangelicals, “For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility” (2004) 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, a position the church’s General Assembly reaffirmed in 2010. In 2000, however, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission – the denomination’s highest judicial body – issued a decision allowing Presbyterian ministers to bless same-sex unions as long as those ceremonies do not equate same-sex unions with marriage. Additionally, in 2004, the General Assembly urged state legislatures to give individuals in same-gender relationships the right to be joined in civil unions.

• The Associated Press, “Presbyterians continue to be divided over gays” (2010) 
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 219th General Assembly, “Civil Unions and Marriage Issues: Questions and Answers” (2010) (PDF)
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 216th General Assembly, “Family Paper Approved: Assembly also adopts call affirming civil rights of same-sex couples” (2004) 
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, Decision to Marc G. Benton, et al. v. The Presbytery of Hudson River (2000) (PDF)

Southern Baptist Convention

In 2003, the Southern Baptist Convention issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to gay marriage. It called on "Southern Baptists not only to stand against same-sex unions but to demonstrate our love for those practicing homosexuality by sharing with them the forgiving and transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)."

• Southern Baptist Convention, SBC Resolutions, "On Same-Sex Marriage" (2003) 

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

In 1996, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations passed a resolution in support of same-sex marriage.

• Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, "Support of the Right To Marry for Same-Sex Couples" (1996) 

United Church of Christ

In 2005, the United Church of Christ’s General Synod voted to legally recognize and advocate in favor of same-sex marriage. Given the autonomous nature of United Church of Christ churches, each congregation may adopt or reject the recommendations of the General Synod.

• United Church of Christ, Resolutions, "Equal Marriage Rights for All" (2005) (PDF)

United Methodist Church

In 2008, the United Methodist Church's top policymaking body reaffirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. Additionally, the UMC’s Judicial Council ruled in 2009 that church law prohibits clergy from performing same-sex marriages. Thus, the denomination does not sanction civil union ceremonies conducted by UMC ministers or in UMC churches, despite appeals from some regional congregations and clergy that it do so.

• United Methodist Church, Judicial Council, “Council rejects resolution on same-sex marriages” (2009) 
• United Methodist Church, Leader Resources, "What Is the Denomination's Position on Homosexuality?" (2008) 
• Los Angeles Times, "Pastors Defy United Methodist Officials To Conduct Gay Weddings" (2008) 

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