tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post116165322530087537..comments2023-10-28T05:39:10.909-04:00Comments on Straight Not Narrow-Presenting Jesus Beyond the Walls: Churches Thrust Into Marriage Debate in VirginiaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1161715151876174732006-10-24T14:39:00.000-04:002006-10-24T14:39:00.000-04:00Well, also there are the important distinctions to...Well, also there are the important distinctions to make here about the difference between the right to marriage and the rites of matrimony. No religious organization will have to bless or recognize any relationship that exists outside of their belief system, or be forced to perform any ceremonies. There is no infringement here of First Amendment protections of religious liberty.<BR/><BR/>The Catholic Church, for example, does not permit the remarriage of divorced persons. The government, however, cares not how many times a person has been married or divorced before. Already, the government recognizes married couples that some faith groups do not.<BR/><BR/>There is no state in the union that requires religious solemnization of a marriage; likewise, there is no state in the union that will recognize a religious solemnization of a union without a civil license.<BR/><BR/>If anyone's First Amendment protections are threatened by such legislation, it would be religious groups such as the Metropolitan Community Church, the Quakers, the United Church of Christ, Reform Judaism and some dioceses of the Episcopal Church, which sanctify same-sex marriages. More conservative denominations should not have the power to override this religious freedom.<BR/><BR/>A few months ago, someone wrote to the advice columnist at Slate Magazine to say they had been invited to a same-sex wedding, but they did not approve. How should they respond, they wanted to know? Don't send a gift, she answered.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13524483460829802534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1161701684493671492006-10-24T10:54:00.000-04:002006-10-24T10:54:00.000-04:00I think the questions that aren't getting asked ar...I think the questions that aren't getting asked are: who created marriage...and how did that entity define it... and what is it supposed to represent... and what constitutes a biblical marriage... etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com