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Loading...Gov. Lynch: Freedom to Marry and Freedom of Religion
Yesterday, Democratic Governor John Lynch vowed to sign a New Hampshire Bill legalizing gay marriage if some alterations were made to protect religious institutions. Both the New Hampshire House and Senate have agreed to the alterations and amended bills are expected to pass without significant opposition. Governor Lynch states that amending the bills to explicitly allow churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions to decide whether they want to perform same sex marriages will “treat both same-sex couples and people of certain religious traditions with respect and dignity.” This compromise makes a fair amount of sense because, as I had stated in a previous blog, no couple wants to be married in a religious institution that does not support their marriage. As an agnostic, I am quite sure that many religious venues would not have wanted to conduct my wedding purely because I do not subscribe to their religious beliefs and that is fine with me. Allowing, these venues to make the decision not to conduct gay marriages allows these churches to eventually come along willing rather than by force because, in the end, I believe that most will eventually see that a marriage of any kind between any two people is a truly beautiful thing that nobody should oppose on any grounds.
Admittedly, this compromise is difficult for me because if a venue said they would not perform a marriage for interracial couples, I would feel strongly that their religious views are racist. And I guess, I do think they religious views against same-sex marriage are also a form of bigotry and yet, I am willing to take a partial victory in hopes that groups who purportedly base their beliefs on foundations of love and global communion cannot forever resist the rising tide of the moral ocean enveloping the rest of the nation. And for those venues that do not, I do not think that any same-sex couples will give much time or effort in trying to force a group opposed to their very lifestyle to conduct their weddings because who wants to get married, an act of love and devotion, when surrounded by hate?
This amendment would also allow “individuals working directly for a religious organization,” say the organ player, to refuse to participate if they are opposed but it would not “permit a self-employed photographer or caterer to refuse to work because a same-sex marriage ceremony violated their own religious beliefs.” It also allows those entities owned and operated by the church to abstain from participation. While not perfect, I believe that this compromise will significantly help same-sex couples along their path to having the same rights as all Americans do, moreover, as all humans deserve.
Once this bill is passed, all civil unions in New Hampshire will transform into marriages on January 1, 2011.
This is another great victory for America. As Winston Churchill once said, “The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative.” We have tried outlawing it and we have tried placating same-sex couples with civil unions but we are ever so slowly come to realize that an American dream for some must include marriage for all.
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+ add your ownJaime, people could still 'get married' in a church - they'd just have to go through the civil marriage first in front of a state official.
That's the way it's done in some other countries. The civil (legal) marriage takes place - then the couple has the religious ceremony. That way, everyone is satisfied. The state gives them certain legal rights through having had the civil ceremony - and the church ceremony gives them their divinity's spiritual sanction.
And, of course, those who choose not to have religious ceremonies are just as legally married as the others.
Take away the right for Churches to do marriages? That is ludicrous! Why not just let civil unions happen under a justice of the peace or some other entity. You can't just start taking away rights just because of one small sect of people!
Take away the rights for churches and religions overall to perform legally binding marriges and introduce a civil union as is the fact in catholic countries as France and Spain. That way there won't be any necessity for special rights for religions to be above the law!
Bobby A - hey you have a right to believe in what you do, just as gays have the right to believe in what they do. Only God knows what is in the hearts of people. We don't and you don't. If gays think that a contract is what is good for them, who are we to tell them they don't have any rights, which include helping their partners in health matters, legal matters, and in end-life medical problems and caring for each other in sickness.Right now gay couples do not have any rights to these benefits just mentioned. Gays are human beings just like the rest of us.
Scott,
How certain are you that your wife loves you? How certain are you of her desires and wishes as a woman? If you have a great relationship with her, I would venture to say that you have good communication, and despite slight disputes, you probably know what some if not most of the desires of her heart are.
With that said, the same is true of any good relationship. We try to get to know the heart of the other person. Two way communication, give and take...it's how a relationship works.
Well, God offers the same type of relationship. I can see your misunderstanding...if you don't know Him, then you can't have that certainty.
Thank you for the honesty and integrity you have shown in your last response...I much prefer your positive side:-)
Jamie,
Thank you for the thorough and honest response. I better understand where you are coming from even though I absolutely cannot understand where you are coming from, if that makes any sense. You have a personal and intimate relationship with God. I respect that, I truly do, I just cannot possibly understand it as an agnostic. But I do appreciate it.
And yet, I feel as though in your posts you write as though you truly know the full extent of God's will and your response, while greatly appreciated, does not help me see where your certainty on this particular issue comes from.
Regardless, thank you for responding even if I still cannot entirely understand where your point of view comes from.
(cont)
I read an awful lot, and some of my favorite authors are men and women who have found that intimacy with God is not a legalism battle or a religious law you place on your life. God’s desire was to get rid of the Pharisees and their influences over people, not further them. The goal is not sin management, but a true relationship with the living God. One of my favorite authors once said, “We can trudge through (life) on our own, doing our best to figure it out. Or we can walk with God. He offers to speak to us and guide us. Every day. It is an incredible offer. To accept that offer is to enter into an adventure filled with joy and risk, transformation and breakthrough. And more clarity than we ever thought possible.” (John Eldredge)
I love God; I love Jesus and the examples and teachings he gives. I don’t claim to know everything about God, but am constantly learning more. I love that we can learn from those who’ve gone before us, and perhaps leave something for those yet to come.
Scott, I am still skeptical, but I will in all honesty answer your questions.
I currently do not go to a church or religious institution. I grew up in “the church”, and have come to realize that church is more like a business than an institution meant to guide the people. I mean, how many churches do you see that collect money to further their programs, or teach a political notion despite the fact that that breaks the non-profit agreement? How many churches are you aware of that actually help to “heal the broken hearted and set the captives free?” Few have that so needed focus.
I actually also have a Bible/Theology degree, so if I follow a scripture, I suppose that would be it. But, the Bible is a collection of experiences people have had with God; it’s not meant to be exceptions, but examples. God doesn’t speak just through a scripture or a priest or minister; he speaks directly to people who desire that intimacy.
Jamie,
I do not think you are crazy. And in truth, without sarcasm, I would like to know where your knowledge of God's will comes from. Please give me something more tangible than you personally see the truth due to your closeness to the divinity. Do you not follow a scripture or a priest or minister? Do you not at least go to a non-denominational religious/spiritual "institution"? I am in all honesty curious to know where your information/interpretation comes from.
Ah Scott…sarcasm does not look good on you.
But in response to your question….“religion”…what a horrible word! I don’t like religion…never have, never will. Religion is man’s way of organizing people’s lives to fit a standard they want people to abide by. Every society has created such “laws” to help control people.
What is true is that God does have certain standards that he has given…innate morality. But, it’s not necessarily because it pleases him. God gives us guidelines for our own protection (ie…no murder, adultery, etc.) Yet, he also allows us the freedom to choose for ourselves the paths we desire to take; often, they are choices that do us more harm than good.
If you are so intrigued and desire to be enlightened, maybe you should stop criticizing me and seek out for yourself the one true God. And where do you go to get absolute divine certainty? Go to the divinity Himself. When you are face to face with him, you have no choice but to believe.
But, I can see you now…reading this at your computer, and thinking how crazy I am (or should I say as Mr. Ventura put it, how much you believe I need a crutch like God to lean on because I am weak). Say what you will, but I just have one question for you…what if I AM right?
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