Just don't perform weddngs period in the Church.
Churches could be forced to marry 'gays'
Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Jedi Knight, Mar 27, 2013.
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Jedi Knight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Just like Sodom and Gomorrah their beating down the door.....let us in!
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Jedi Knight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
Wow. Someone who gets it. -
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InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Still, it is an invite to a court case and we know how aggressive gays can be in prosecuting these sorts of things. Kind of worrisome. Thanks for posting the link. -
Some preachers will not marry couples if both are not christians, Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers. Some preachers will not marry a couple if one or both of them has been married before. Preachers are not obligated to the state or government to marry anyone if they don't want to. The church cannot force them to marry anyone if they don't want to.
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I should probably add that we've presented this issue to our legal council and had them review what is going on to help protect ourselves. They came back and said as things stand right now (and likely will after all the dust settles) there is no way for the government to regulate who a minister does or doesn't marry. Likewise, churches where ceremonies are performed will not be regulated or cited for not doing certain marriages.
They actually mentioned a situation where a minister on our staff refused to do an inter-racial marriage. Nobody can do anything about it. The minister's license is private and the church isn't at fault.
Now they did recommend that we strengthen our bylaws and constitution to better explain our position and reinforce our legal standing. They did say it is likely that gay couples will sue a church(es) for not recognizing their union or allowing their union. The outcome of those lawsuits is difficult to discern. -
But keep in mind, that anyone can sue anyone else for any reason. Which means that if you are taken to court - it could cost you a lot of money to defend yourself.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Churches cannot lose their tax exemption. They can lose their 501c3 letter but their tax exemption is not dependent on that letter. Churches have a specific exemption in the tax code. Other non profit entities do not.
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Keep in mind, we're not just talking about evangelical churches. This kind of action would impact Catholic churches, Orthodox, Protestant, and other mainline churches. Along with these are non-Christian groups like Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and other religions that oppose same sex marriage. This would impact all of them. Do you think all of these groups would stand idly by and allow this kind of action to happen? Do you things the spineless politicians that currently run our government would allow leaders of these groups to be disenfranchised?
I just don't see this happening. -
But from time to time - the SC does overturn itself, or an amendment is added to the COTUS
Back in 1787 when the Constitution was accepted, the South was content with the issue of slavery, but over the decades it finally changed- yes, a war did intervene, but a major change did happen. Another example - without a war- womens suffrage. The Constitution originally did not guarantee a womens right to vote - it only took about 133 years....
Think back to the men of 1900 - who thought that kind of negative, conspiracy theory mentality that sounds crazy. . A woman voting - it will never happen.
Look at what else has happen- a public school Christmas pageant is not allowed to sing religious carols, a HS football team is not allowed to pray, a teacher may be prohibited from having a Bible on her desk......
NEVER SAY NEVER (usually)
Salty
disclaimer - let it be know that I am not opposed to the two examples (slavery & women) I gave above. -
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
You really think you'll 2/3rds of both houses of Congress and 3/4 of the states to approve that? Over marriage? Really? -
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and what could be next?
Dr. Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, told Newsmax. -
Jedi Knight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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However, that has nothing to do with gay and lesbian marriages. It is a sin to the Lord, and there is no debate about it like drinking, etc. Being black or white is not a sin. It is a sin to deny them membership based on ones hatred of a group of people. We are comparing apples and oranges here. -
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