Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire
Posted on 02/13/2012 3:44:27 PM PST by NYer
February 13, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington State has signed into law a gay “marriage” bill that will force church-owned facilities to accommodate homosexual ceremonies.
Gregoire, a lame-duck Democrat governor who proposed the bill earlier this year, celebrated the end of defining marriage as between a man and a woman as she signed the bill on Monday.
“I’m proud our same-sex couples will no longer be treated as separate but equal,” she said.
The bill makes Washington the sixth U.S. state to redefine marriage, in addition to the District of Columbia.
Click “like” if you want to defend true marriage.
Local religious leaders have been particularly alarmed about the bill because it will force facilities owned by churches that are regularly used for marriages to be offered to homosexual couples.
The bill text states that religious organizations that provide “accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage” to the public must offer all those goods for use to homosexual couples seeking marriage or else face a penalty for discrimination.
Evangelical Pastor Joseph Fuiten last month said that the bill’s “discrimination” language puts “virtually every church in Washington” under legal threat should they abide by the teachings of their faith on the nature of marriage.
“They already have equality but that is not what they actually want. They want to force the church to accept homosexuality,” said Fuiten. Washington State in 2009 passed an “everything but marriage” domestic partner bill granting marriage benefits to homosexual couples.
The bill is expected to take effect no earlier than June.
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has vowed to initiate a referendum effort to bring the new law before voters to decide on the ballot.
“NOM will not stand by and let activist politicians redefine marriage, the bedrock of civilization, without voters having a say,” said NOM president Brian Brown on Jan 23. “Just as we mounted a People’s Veto in Maine and were responsible for qualifying Proposition 8 to the ballot in California, we will make sure that voters in Washington have the ability to decide the definition of marriage for themselves.”
Ping!
The only acceptable option is for about half of the organizations that provide “accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage” to go out of business. Decent people in Washington State who want to get married may have a choice between crossing state lines and going to a facility that supports sham marriage. I would cross state lines rather than solemnize a marriage in a church that had been voluntarily desecrated.
At least they admit they are “redfining” marriage. Marriage is not a state institution to “redefine”. Christians need to re-define their word. They are going to win the word marriage so maybe Christians can come up with a better word than just a state instituted marriage.
I cannot find out if there are any penalties for the violation of this “law”. Any help on this point?
and with the stroke of a pen, six thousands years of history around the meaning of marriage dies with another attack on being Christians and Christian values.
The left does error “not knowing the scriptures”.
Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil.....
Actually, I would love to see them Holy Matrimony over completely, requirements and registration being at the Churches discretion NOT the state, and no need for licenses!
Get ready for the almost immediate issuance of all so called marriage licenses to ask for partner a and partner b, no more husband and wife, no more bride and groom.
They already have one, see my above post!
The proper religious answer is “Hell no.”
They think they can sue the churches?
People need to simply ignore this power grab. Then fight when called on it.
EFF these people...my church is NOT licensed or approved by the state and does not exist with the state’s permission.
The Thomas More Society is going to be very busy this coming year.
Whether you believe in God and His creation, or if you believe in Darwin and science, both created man and woman the same way.
I hope this perverted bill goes back to hell where it belongs, but if you read the text of the law at the link, Section 7 actually says that religious organization DON’T have to provide accomodations, not that they do, unless they are selling them. It does use the phrase “accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage,” but to say the opposite of what the article says, unless I’m missing something.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017372664_marriage30m.html
doesn’t apply to churches proper, apparently...but don’t have a moral objection,...you are screwed.
Good thing Social Issues will not be a big issue this election year...~rolls eyes~
“I’m proud our same-sex couples will no longer be treated as separate but equal,” she said.
PERVERTS are NOT Equal to normal decent citizens. Not now not ever......
Sucks that our Constitution is still in place, including the Establishment Clause, doesn't it, bitch?
Catholic Ping
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A decent judge would vacate this law in its entirety as a violation of the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Tenth Amendments.
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