WA State has joined the ranks of states who no longer discriminate against the right of persons to enjoy a whole range of boilerplate legal protections & tax advantages just because they happen to be wired a bit differently than others.
Or, put another way, the secular government of WA state has done the right thing and stopped enforcing religious rules that have no secular justification or basis.
If you don’t like gay marriage, don’t have one.
I am ambivalent about gay marriage; however, I am concerned about the law of unintended consequences. How long before churches will be forced to perform them? After all the Catholic Curch is being forced to pay for and distribute birth control.
Emergency Medical Care & Pharmaceuticals are a different ball game from marriage ceremonies. Having the state treat all equal under the law places no obligation upon churches. And even I, who has no love for organized religions, would oppose laws obligating churches to perform non-essential ceremonies when secular entities exist to do the same.
Indiana advanced the cause of freedom association yesterday.
IMHO, I do not believe the court system will make a distinction between the two. Look at the insanity of the enforcement of the ADA, from a good attempt at equality for disabled people, to a bludgeon that has crippled businesses.
Steve,
I understand your fear, that we are trading one bit of over-reach for another, but this is still a good thing. Since it is unlikely that we will ever get the government out of the business of giving permission slips to people to wed, forcing the system into a “shall issue” mode is at least a step in the right direction.
Still has to get through the House and a recall movement is already being filed. Stand by on that.
Sulaco
I know, this could all be just a whole lot of noise, but I have hope.