same sex marriage and the churches

[libby]

For all of you Christians who belong to a church that opposes same sex marriage. Do you think it likely that in a few more years the state will be demanding that your church marry gays or lose their tax exempt status? As a Catholic, I see Catholic hospitals being told that they must perform abortion services. Catholic pharmacists (few though they are that actually practice their faith) being told that they must dispense abortaficients (and I don't think it would be any burden on the patient to go to the pharmacy on the next block), thereby losing their rights to practice their own faith.
We owned a rental property 20 years ago when equal rights in housing/employment, etc came out in our home state at that time. We were not free to say "no" to a gay couple who wanted to rent. The progressive rights have greater weight that the traditional rights as these bills become law.
I predict that our traditional churches will close or be closed if they refuse to marry gays and lesbians.
BTW- I know the pro gay folks will say I'm going overboard, etc. While I'm sure you'll participate in this thread if you want, it is really only directed at the traditionally minded.

[Gwydion]

Originally Posted by libby

While I'm sure you'll participate in this thread if you want, it is really only directed at the traditionally minded.

Anybody can reply, so long as they agree with me.

[sweetprincess23]

Actually I am very much a pro gay person who semi agrees with you. I was baptized catholic but not a practicing catholic these days. If people truelly want seperation of church and state than the government should not force the churches to marry gays and lesbians. A place of worship no mattter what type has its beliefs for a reason and should not be forced by the government to change. I don't like when the churches try to change the gays or anyone else that thinks differently than them. So I wouldn't want someone going into a church telling them how to think. the reason I am not a practicing catholic is because I disagree with how they do things and their hypocritical ways. So I choose not to go to mass on sunday and believe in God on my own. If a gay person wants to get married than the courthouse or private ceremony should be fine. The catholic church doesn't just discriminate against gays, if someone wants to get remarried in a catholic church they first have to get an annullment. I tried to put my son in sunday school but was turned away because I don't go to that church or practice the religion really. I didn't realize what I do should affect my child's right to go to sunday school, but whatever if they don't want to teach a child Gods word than I will take him somewhere else.

With that said if you want seperation of church and state and the government to not force the church to marry gays, than stay out of the government. I don't see any reason why gays and lesbians should not get married by someone of the court. I didn't realize there was somewhere in the consitution about gays getting married. If I am wrong correct me, I don't study the constitution so I don't know everything. Maybe if the church stopped trying to force their beliefs on everyone than people would just go on with their business and not care so much. Maybe I don't know anything but to me the only reason gays and lesbians can't marry now is because of the church and religious people are so anti-gays and they try to make laws based on the bible.

[HunterJJD]

The Catholic church will preform same sex marriage soon after the state makes it legal. For this plain and simple reason. They charge to marry you, the Catholic church has never turned down a buck.

[libby]

Originally Posted by Gwydion

Anybody can reply, so long as they agree with me.

Not exactly, just pre-empting a post that derails the topic.

[morningbell (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Gwydion

Anybody can reply, so long as they agree with me.

[jetmonkey]

I don't think any churches should be tax exempt.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by jetmonkey

I don't think any churches should be tax exempt.

They are a business and should be categorized as such.

[Geek]

Originally Posted by jetmonkey

I don't think any churches should be tax exempt.

The Church of the Perpetual Farting Geek (CPFG) disagrees with you.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by HunterJJD

The Catholic church will preform same sex marriage soon after the state makes it legal. For this plain and simple reason. They charge to marry you, the Catholic church has never turned down a buck.

You will never see the Catholic Church performing gay weddings.