Kmiec’s absurd idea is nothing more than a new tactic by the left to LEGITIMIZE homosexual “marriage”.
If the states were to no longer recognize the validity of marriage and leave it to religious groups, there is little doubt what would happen:
Leftist “churches” (and I use that term very lightly as they would probably be nothing more than social clubs where leftists go to talk about “judge not lest ye be judged” and sing “Kumbaya”) would start “marrying” homosexuals and giving them marriage certificates. These certificates, signed by an “ordained” minister/community organizer would be every bit as legitimate in the government’s eyes as a true marriage certificate signed by a Bible-believing minister, priest or rabbi.
The danger (and I hate to agree with Kmiec) is that once gay marriage is the law of the land everywhere, two men can walk into a Catholic or Southern Baptist or Greek Orthodox church and demand to be married there.
Once the church refuses, it’s off to court to get the church’s tax exemption removed, using the Bob Jones decision as precedent. Many believe that this is the real agenda behind the gay marriage movement—to defund all conservative churches.
Separating marriage into religious and civic understandings may be the only way to head off this nightmare.
OK you do have a point there. I know a few elderly couples, who have been forced to divorce in order not to lose their homes and stay out of nursing homes. I feel for them. It happens a lot.