Replies

How is marriage a federal issue? And how can the federal government move to protect a 'sacrament'? What if a gay marriage is performed by a church... wouldn't it be a sacrament too? Or does the government get to define whose sacraments are 'real' sacraments, and whose aren't?

Fortunately, this is all just blowing smoke; the proposal will die in committee and Frist will take credit for trying, without trying very hard.

I was wondering exactly the same thing.

As I've been taking in the news about the anti-sodomy case these past few days, the thing that bothers me most-- and the thing that is absolutely verified by Frist's comment-- is that the basis for banning gay marriage is a principle of a religion.

Sure, go ahead and say it's a religion on which this country is founded, a religion on which we based our ethical values in the writing of laws. But I would have to argue that our laws are based on human rights, not Judeo-Christian ethics.

A sacrament is, by definition, a formal religious act that is sacred as a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality. If legislature can enforce anything that is a 'sacrament,' anything that is the part of any particular religious institution, why not legally enforce communion? Or add a tithe to our taxes?

I've heard enough BS about anti-sodomy laws being in place for the betterment of the gay population, and the population as a whole. Generalizing that all gays and lesbians participate in and condone criminal activity is outright ridiculous. I may as well say that all blacks are going to hell. The 'health risks' of engaging in homosexual intercourse should, like smoking, drinking, or any other activity detrimental to one's health, be up to the decision of the individual.

And, luckily, I do agree that any sort of complete ban on gay marriage would be, as you said, 'blowing smoke'.

What if a gay marriage is performed by a church...

If it is not legally recognized by the state, it does not matter who performs the ceremony. A marriage without a license is not legal, and the state will not, in most states, grant such a license to a same-sex couple.

It's not rocket science.