[randita]

Since marriage is now a right conferred by the law of the land, license, contracts or whatever you want to call them should be under the purview of the federal government, not the state government. The state should have absolutely nothing to do with the issuance of licenses and/or contracts. Let it be handled by the HHS, the Social Sec. Administration, or the the federal court system.

Churches that want to conduct religious ceremonies are free to do so for whomever they wish - and those who do not are free to do as their religious convictions lead them.

[taildragger]

"Since marriage is now a right conferred by the law of the land, license, contracts or whatever you want to call them should be under the purview of the federal government, not the state government. The state should have absolutely nothing to do with the issuance of licenses and/or contracts. Let it be handled by the HHS, the Social Sec. Administration, or the the federal court system."

Yummy. Just what I want, to go to a federal org for paperwork. Look, what Alabama is doing is artfully bringing the issue back to the States via the 10th Amendment which IMHO is where it should reside because Unless I am mistaken the purview of States is "Contract" Law, this was not about stretching the limits of the 14th Amendment again which is what the Supremes did. I just wish any State would try to bring my health care "Contract" back to the State level and not be Federalized, which is what Obamacare did.

IMHO what Alabama is doing here is Brilliant....

[norwaypinesavage]

"Churches that want to conduct religious ceremonies are free to do so for whomever they wish"

I wouldn't be so sure about that, anymore. That statement certainly doesn't apply to individuals who bake cakes and choose to avoid baking a cake that goes against their religious beliefs.

[eyedigress]

I agree. You want to get married, go to DC.