News
2006-04-28
Rabbi to Liberty
University: Gay couples deserve rights
The leader of
Reform Judaism delivered a controversial address at
Jerry Falwell's Liberty University on Wednesday.
The leader of the
Union of Reform Judaism spoke at antigay televangelist
Jerry Falwell's Liberty University on Wednesday and called
for the acceptance and support of gay and lesbian
couples, the JTA news service reports.
"Gay Americans
pose no threat to their friends, neighbors, or
coworkers, and when two people make a lifelong commitment to
each other, we believe it is wrong to deny them the
legal guarantees that protect them and their children
and benefit the broader society," Rabbi Eric Yoffie
said to shocked murmurs, scattered hisses, and boos at the
packed campus stadium in Lynchburg, Va.
Falwell chastised
his students, telling them he had never been booed in a
synagogue. Aside from that, the reception for Yoffie was
warm. Falwell said it was the first time in the
32-year history of Liberty University that a rabbi
helped him deliver the weekly convocation.
Yoffie has been a
vocal critic of the religious right, and Falwell's
invitation was a signal of reconciliation after some
difficult times between evangelicals and Jews. Yoffie
began Wednesday's speech by emphasizing common ground
on issues such as Israel and defending persecuted
religious minorities overseas. He received warm applause
when he praised evangelicals for their resolute
opposition to what he called "the moral crisis in
America."
But according to
JTA, he also laid out Reform Judaism's fundaments,
including church-state separation, a woman's right to be the
ultimate arbiter about whether to have an
abortion, and legal protections for gay couples.
Falwell said Yoffie's tone was as important as his message.
"He came across in a loving, respectful way," Falwell told
JTA after the convocation.
Students said
they were happy to hear differing views and hoped to find
common ground on other issues. "This is an opportunity to
respect and recognize as legitimate different
viewpoints," said Jenni Thurman, a sophomore majoring
in journalism.
Yoffie said he
hoped Wednesday's appearance was the start of a
relationship. "I would hope as we move forward there will be
follow-up and there will be coalition building," he said.
But Falwell, who said the idea to invite Yoffie came
during an interview with journalist Zev Chafets, was
noncommittal about a follow-up. He qualified future
relations with those with whom he disagrees: "We can differ
on many things not essential to the freedoms in our
country."
Did those
"essential" things include the continued denial of
legal protections to gay couples? Falwell was evasive. "We
do not believe in gay marriage or polygamy or any
other family form than a man marrying a woman singly,"
he told JTA. (The Advocate)
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