"Obama’s
thoughtful statement sends a different message. It says that values
like introspection, compassion, and justice support, rather than oppose,
equality for LGBT people. We can interpret Leviticus, Romans, and
Corinthians ten ways from Sunday. But what we can’t ignore are the calls
to justice and compassion.
"What, according to the statement, led Obama to this position? The right kind of thinking.
Over time, he said, he has come to understand the truth of same-sex
couples: that they are as capable of commitment, love, and sanctity as
opposite-sex ones; and that it is an injustice to deny the benefits of
marriage to gay people. Those are religious values, expressed in a
personal way. It demonstrates the growth of individual conscience: the
president used to feel one way, but over time, in a careful and long
process of discernment, he has now come to feel a different way. People
on his staff, friends and family—these, not abstract principles, are
what shifted his heart and mind. Thinking of his personal responsibility
for the lives of soldiers serving our country—this, not some policy
point, is the data that weighs into calculations of right and wrong."
— Jay Michaelson
"What, according to the statement, led Obama to this position? The right kind of thinking. Over time, he said, he has come to understand the truth of same-sex couples: that they are as capable of commitment, love, and sanctity as opposite-sex ones; and that it is an injustice to deny the benefits of marriage to gay people. Those are religious values, expressed in a personal way. It demonstrates the growth of individual conscience: the president used to feel one way, but over time, in a careful and long process of discernment, he has now come to feel a different way. People on his staff, friends and family—these, not abstract principles, are what shifted his heart and mind. Thinking of his personal responsibility for the lives of soldiers serving our country—this, not some policy point, is the data that weighs into calculations of right and wrong."
— Jay Michaelson
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