Originally posted by bvbNonsense. My wife and I were married in the Michigan League on the U of M campus by a retired judge. No priest. No church. And we are fully and legally married. It should be noted that when the officiant pronounces you man and wife, it is through the power granted them by the State of Michigan (or wherever you live) and not through the grace of god.
That's my point. It should be exclusively sponsored by churches.
Originally posted by rwingettI would tend to say that the state may have the "power" to give one a "union card" that says one is "married." But I don't think the state has the power to give anyone a "blessed union." That comes from somewhere else.
Nonsense. My wife and I were married in the Michigan League on the U of M campus by a retired judge. No priest. No church. And we are fully and legally married. It should be noted that when the officiant pronounces you man and wife, it is through the power granted them by the State of Michigan (or wherever you live) and not through the grace of god.
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Originally posted by bvbThey have failed miserably at it. Church weddings are often an exercise in immaturity with controlling mother-n-laws serving as the relational mafia.
That's my point. It should be exclusively sponsored by churches.
Furthermore, I am not officiating at anymore weddings until gay marriage is legalized. So there's another reason to go to the courthouse.
Originally posted by kirksey957I don't want to be blessed.
I would tend to say that the state may have the "power" to give one a "union card" that says one is "married." But I don't think the state has the power to give anyone a "blessed union." That comes from somewhere else.
The state has all the power to marry people, not the church. The priest is merely the means by which the state usually delegates it's power.
Originally posted by bvbThere are churches that marry gay couples. The US govt however will not recognize these marriages.
Wow! It's pretty cool that a lot of people responded to this.
For the record I am an advocate of gay civil unions. However I also think that all religions have a constitutional right to include or exclude people from their rituals. It seems to me that it is the church that should define the rules for marriage.
Therefore, the state should grant civil unions ...[text shortened]... igious community where they feel accepted. In my church they are accepted and allowed to marry.
Originally posted by bvbWhy are christians allowed to marry. After all, marriage predates christianity and is therefore a pagan institution
Why is it that gays are not allowed to be married yet athiests and murderers are allowed to marry? It seems to me that Christians that condemn gay marriage need to explain why they are not marching in the streets against marriage of athiests and murderers as well.
