Not all beliefs are the same, even if they are all grounded in a faith.
That is no more apparent than in the reactions to Friday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges.
"With all the rhetoric surrounding marriage equality, it has seemed to be hard to hear some voices from the faith community who have attempted to speak up in favor of same-sex marriage," said the Rev. Jim Hogue with the United Church of Christ, who serves as a chaplain and isn't assigned to a specific congregation. "It is important to note that the first two Protestant denominations in North America were also the first two denominations to approve same-sex marriage. For those, and others who have joined them over the years, this decision is welcome and supports their religious free exercise."
Hogue noted the Supreme Court's decision did not include all related cases. The United Church of Christ case in North Carolina is the only case where a ban on same sex marriage was overturned based on a free exercise argument, he said.
"The decision to perform any marriage is the right of each clergy person," Hogue noted. "As clergy, we are not forced to perform any marriage, nor ought we be. But neither ought our decision to perform a marriage be criminalized.
"The court's decision is an important protection for religious free exercise in Missouri and a relief to those of us who desire to perform same-sex marriage."
However, many faiths and denominations maintain more traditional views, as stated by the Most Rev. John Gaydos, bishop of the Jefferson City Catholic Diocese.
"As Americans, we respect the rule of law. But as Catholics, we uphold the unchanging universal, objective truth that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman," Gaydos said. "We will continue to uphold that truth in our Catholic teaching.
"We must be clear and confident in our understanding of the great gift from a loving God that is our human life and nature. Our witness to these truths must always be shared in the gentleness, mercy and hope of disciples of Jesus Christ."