Posted on 09/09/2015 8:13:52 PM PDT by GailA
Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, city officials have laid down the law to Christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines.
The dictate comes on the heels of a legal battle with Donald and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers who own the Hitching Post wedding chapel in the city, but who oppose gay marriage, The Daily Caller reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Sounds like Doctor-Sergeant Donny Donowitz needs to have “a little chat” with Coeur d’Alene city officials...
This is B.S.
Not in their wildest dreams would Catholic pastors comply with that.
Heck, they won’t even marry Catholics unless they are in a state of grace.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Obergfell case, the priests in my church all surrendered their state licenses to sign marriage certificates. No need to worry about getting an order like this from the mayor of Sodom or Gomorrah.
Ever been to Coeur d‘Alene? You go one block off the lake front and it’s a slum area ...
Not gettin’ hitched by SBC pastor either though they might get “marital counseling” on why God punished Sodim and Gommorah!
No but here’s what’ll happen:
After LOVING (interracial marriage) it became the basis for the I.R.S. to yank the tax exemption for ANY church that didn’t comply with the ‘law of the land.’
So the Catholic church - and every other church - will face a choice:
Either be taxed or submit.
You have no authority to tell pastors whom to marry and whom they may not marry.
“Gay marriage will in no way negatively affect Christians.”
Rather than repeat myself...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3334733/posts?page=84#84
Do not surrender!
Designated hecklers inside churches at all gay weddings would put a damper on the desire to use the facilities.
A friend did the Iron Man event there. Tough race. That year the snow in the mountains had not all melted and the water was really cold. He did not mention the town. Just the time he needed in the warming tent after the swim.
I don’t think this applies to church weddings. These ordained ministers owned a commercial wedding chapel, which apparently was not their church facility for regular preaching and such. SO while I don’t agree with the ruling, I don’t think it means catholic priests and such will be forced to marry gays in their chapels and cathedrals.
The waterfront is beautiful - nice trendy restaurants, etc. We went a block back to look for investment properties and it was bad.
How about a return to private property and the freedom of association?
Suggested “Gay Wedding” Ceremony… for Bible Based Churches
Where there’s trouble, there’s opportunity to share the Gospel with those who may never hear it. I would offer that Christian pastors consider submitting to “Caesar” on the requirement that churches and houses of worship perform “Gay Weddings”. Maybe to defeat the Devil we should seek to out think him. We begin...
Pastor speaks to those gathered:
Beloved we gather today under threat of legal prosecution and persecution… to unite Adam and Steve legally in a union the state demands we call “marriage” but in fact is a mockery of God’s most sacred sacrament. God created marriage, man did not... for one man and one woman only. So though required by law… this union cannot be blessed by God. As a counsel to the participants, I ask them to accept as Savior our Lord Jesus Christ, for He loves them and seeks them to learn His ways and repent of this abomination forced upon this church... and lay their souls at the Cross and receive His redeeming Blood and Salvation into their hearts. The participants shall now exchange vows… (bla,bla,bla)
Now I as servant of God, but also a law abiding citizen…and so compelled and coerced to pronounce this union legal in the state... but in no way can be recognized or blessed by God. Therefore, under the laws of the state, but contrary to God’s… I now pronounce you spouses… and let you determine which is husband and which is wife. Let it be known to all... I and this church have now submitted to all legal requirements to perform this ceremony and the letter of the law has been fulfilled.
Closing note: As pastor I would let the participants know this is part of the ceremony if they demand to be “married” in my church. I will inform them I will perform the ceremony, but to qualify to use this facility.. all who wed here are obligated to accept Christian marriage counseling and follow rules of this church. What grounds to sue? We will do what is required by law, but within the rules of the church. Maybe they’ll just go somewhere else. We gotta start somewhere!
Aren’t they a for-profit business and not a religious organization?
“Either be taxed or submit.”
Nope... Don’t sign any at all. If the couple want’s to get married in the church, so be it. They must also get married by the JP to make it official with the state.
Problem solved...
Drive down either side of the lake and you will find huge numbers of developments with fancy and big houses.
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