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THE SACRED READINGS
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Ritual for a Same
Gender Union
by
Siraj Ahmaddin as-salik
abd'allah
In California at least there
is a growing need for some sort of ritual to bind together domestic partners
who are of the same sex. I have written a ritual to accomodate same
and send it to you for your use in the cheraglibrary:
06/22/98 -
Siraj Ahmaddin as-salik abd'allah
A Universal Worship Service
shall be offered through the readings. Nine
candles shall be lit on
the altar: The Goddess Religion, the Hindu
Religion, the Buddhist Religion,
the Zoroastrian Religion, the Native
American Religion, the Hebrew
Religion, the Christian Religion, the
Religion of Islam and the
Spirit of Guidance.
The theme for the readings
shall be "Love." After the reading from the Gayan, the two who wish
to be united shall come forward and stand before the Altar, carrying lit
candles in their right hands, their left hands clasped upon the Gayan.
The
Cherag/a, who shall be standing
to their left, shall pray the following
prayer over them:
Beloved God, who has granted
to us all things necessary for union with You,
and has commanded us to
love one another, protect in Your holiness, Lord
and lover of good, these
Your servants who love each other according to
Your Commandment, and have
come into this holy place to be blessed and
consecrated by You.
Grant them faithfulness, love, and peace, and bestow
also upon them all those
things which will inspire them to be united with
You forever. 1 Amin.
If rings are exchanged,
now is the time for it to happen. Then the
Cherag/a hugs the couple,
and offers the traditional closing benediction:
May the Blessing of God rest
upon you, may God's peace abide with you, may
God's Presence illuminate
your hearts now and forever more.
(Optional: the Cherag
kisses them on the cheek and invites them to kiss
each other).
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1. Same Sex Unions in pre-modern
Europe, John Boswell. Appendix of
Translations, note 84, Page
898. I have taken the liberty of changing the
wording of this prayer to
suit our particular needs.
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