Now that equal marriage is finally a reality in Canada, there is an increasing variety of options available to those seeking to marry their same-sex partner.

Those couples who wish to have a religious component to their ceremony can seek out a faith group or cleric whose philosophy matches their own. Prior to C-38, it was not possible for a religious leader to legally marry two people of the same sex, but now it is. The same freedom now also applies to civic authorities who can perform weddings, such as marriage commissioners.

Many of the so-called “mainstream churches” continue to struggle with the question of same-sex marriage. However, many of the more progressive faith groups (Christian and non-Christian) are finally free to marry couples they have always supported.

One such group is Religious Science International (RSI) and their co-religionists the United Church of Religious Science (UCRS) - not to be confused with the United Church of Canada or The Church Of Christ, Scientist, by the way.

RSI, founded by Ernest Holmes, has approximately 140 churches worldwide (UCRS has approximately 200 churches), and grew out of the metaphysical New Thought movement of the 1920’s. It shares similar roots with such groups as Christian Science, Unitarian Universalist, Theosophists, and others.

The church teaches that “God” is an Infinite Intelligence/Energy, that created the Universe out of Itself. Human beings are part of that, therefore possessing the Divine within ourselves, and are connected to each other and this Infinite Intelligence.

Holmes maintained there are two aspects to the universe: Love and Law, or the Personal and Impersonal. RSI beliefs are based on the concept of the Law of Cause and Effect. RSI teaches humans co-create with the Divine and that “thought creates form.”

Religious Scientists believe we are all one with each other and one with “God,” therefore differences such as sexual orientation, gender, or race are merely different expressions of that Oneness.

“RSI is based on Christian philosophy, but we do not consider ourselves to be a ‘Christian Church’,” says Rev. Nadene Rogers, an RSI minister in Calgary. “Ernest Holmes synthesized a variety of beliefs from the major world religions and while we recognize Jesus as a great teacher, we do not believe him to be the only Son of God. We are all sons and daughters of God, of the Infinite.”

One of the basic beliefs of RSI, and where it differs sharply from Judeo-Christian teachings, is on the concept of Original Sin. Religious Scientists believe that humans, as part of the Infinite who some call “God,” carry “Original Blessing.”

“As part of that Infinite Energy, we believe we as humans carry that within us, always. Our species starts from a place of blessing, not from a place of sin,” Rev. Rogers explains. “If one subscribes to the idea of Original Sin, then we can never realize our full potential because no matter what we do, we remain sinners. It’s a theology of victimhood. However, if we come from a place of Original Blessing, that perfection is already within us and we just need to find it.”

“We have a saying in the Church, ‘change your Mind; change your Life.’ We believe in the science of Mind and that the Mind is part of the Cosmos.”

Since RSI teaches that humanity is part of the Divine and individuals are expressions of the Divine, there is really no difference between people.

“We all share the same spirit,” says Rogers. “We just each express it differently. When we talk about same-sex marriage, for instance, it is about equal rights, not just gay rights. Gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual…it’s all human nature.”

“The Islamic Sufi mystic, Rumi, once wrote, ‘beyond the concepts of Right Doing and Wrong Doing there is a field. I will meet you there.’ Essentially, he was talking about all of us being united, joined, and able to come together spiritually.”

Or, put another way, Rev. Rogers explains, “happiness depends on healing the whole. Focusing on gay/straight, black/white, male/female, perpetuates the divisions between us and perpetuates our suffering. The teachings of Mind honour all paths to that field.”

Much of the controversy around equal marriage focused on the religious versus the civil nature of marriage in Canada. Bill C-38 addressed the civil aspects only, thereby allowing various faith groups to marry or not marry couples, as the faith felt appropriate. Despite the protestations of the religious conservatives and religious Right, clerics opposed to marrying a same-sex couple, or a divorced couple or an inter-faith couple, are not legally required to do so. C-38 reaffirmed religious freedom by “opening up” choices for various faith groups; this expands religious freedoms in Canada, rather than restricting them.

“Absolutely,” says Rogers enthusiastically. “I can’t imagine any RSI minister who would not joyfully agree to join a same-sex couple in marriage. Such a union fits into our theology quite well. It is not who you love, but how you love.”

Several of the more “progressive” churches, prior to C-38 becoming law, would perform commitment ceremonies, hand-fastings, Holy Unions, or any number of ceremonies to recognize and honour the union of a same-sex couple. The RSI was no different.

“We often performed these ceremonies, we just couldn’t use the legal language such as ‘Do you take so-and-so as your lawfully wedded spouse.’ Now we can do that full-service ceremony for those who want it,” says Rogers.

Unlike many mainstream churches, the RSI does not have any requirements couples need to fulfill before being married by an RSI minister.

“We don’t require the couple be members of the church. We don’t usually do pre-marital counseling. They don’t need to attend workshops or anything like that. People know what is right for them. If a couple wishes to marry and approach us to marry them, we marry them,” says Rogers.

When equal marriage was first made legal, Rev. Rogers noticed couples were “taking their time” with it all.

“But now, since the election, I am seeing couples who are afraid of what Stephen Harper might do with same-sex marriage and they are rushing out to marry before the right is taken away from them, if it is taken away…we don’t know what he will do,” says Rogers. “People are now getting married from a position of fear of what the government might do. It’s sad.”

Whether or not it’s a good thing to get married out of fear for what the future may hold is for Rogers’ couples to decide – it is not something she gets into.

“It doesn’t matter what I think will happen or not happen. The reality is these couples are getting married now. I tell them; if you are afraid of what the federal government might do, if you are afraid you may not be able to marry in a few months time, why wait? Get married now,” explains Rogers.

“It’s still about freedom to choose. It is always about freedom to choose. If they choose to marry now instead of in six months or a year, that’s fine. They’re as married as if they waited.”

Weddings My Way
Rev. Nadene Rogers
(403) 247-0602
www.weddingsmyway.com

For more information on Religious Science, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Science