[iamkeri1]

Toughy, not intended as an attack on you, just a sign of my own frustration.

I am sick of the constant ass-kissing of the Christian Right that has become a requirement for the passing of almost any law these days. Why do we constantly have to reassure them that they will be allowed to continue to discriminate against us and that the law will continue to support that discrimination? Churches/religions, whatever that choose to not follow federal law regarding civil rights, (for example, churches are exempt from handicapper accessibility laws under both the 1973 Handicapper Civil Rights Act, and the ADA) should lose their tax exempt status.
The consitution allows no law which prohibits the free exercise of religion, but it doesn't say we have to pay for their prejudices. This would not only clear things up regarding religious objections to marriage equality, it would resolve all the issues over birth control, abortion etc that are so contentious in the Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare), and other civil rights conflicts as well. There are hundreds; don't want to list them here .

"Of course, pastor, bishop, rabbi, imam, monk, or whatever you call yourself, we would not even consider forcing you to obey any law that would interfere with the practice of your belief. Go right ahead and refuse to cover birth control under your health care, and don't hesitate at all to keep your doors locked to queers, it's all good. In fact we, the Federal Government, want help you maintain the purity of your beliefs. We will, therefore, immediately stop giving you the special religious tax exemptions that might make you feel dependent upon the government, as well government funding for any programs you maybe running. We are sure this heathen money has been a distraction for your followers. Removing it will free you up to generate income for your group in whatever way is allowable under your faith principles"


Should the suggestions above fail to find congressional approval, here's my easy solution. Take legal marriage completely out of the hands of the church" and place the transaction of this legal contract where it belongs - in the courthouse.

ALL marriages are to be performed by the state through whatever vehicle currently required by a particular state for hets who chose a civil ceremony; Judges, justices of the peace, notary publics, etc. Since religion has been taken out of it and all individuals have equal protection under the law, queers will of course be granted marriage licenses and the ability to marry civilly. Churches may continue to perform whatever religious ceremony they now provide for their followers. BUT these are religious ceremonies only with no legality attached. If you haven't been married civilly by the state, you ain't married legally. If religious leaders wish to maintain the autonomy of their religions, they shouldn't be providing legal services like signing and filing or marriage licenses.

Keri has spoken. Make it so,

Smooches!

Originally Posted by Toughy

Seems to me the addition of the word 'civil' makes it very clear that this has no effect on what organized religion does or does not about gay marriage.

I think it should read something like this: 'any two consenting adults may be issued a civil marriage license'. It certainly goes a long way towards equality for gender/sex variant individuals.