lovemerox wrote:
Don't try and stay outta this one dolce...its calling your name :wink:
Well, honestly the history of this country has been structured around personal and religious freedom (depending on who you are, but that's a different story). Nor would I have it any other way. That being said, Church and State are two interconnected entities that rival eachother for ultimate authority. No more, no less. The doctrine of the two Ceasars never really was all that effective in practive. But, I do not think the governemnt should be able to put its foot in and say the church HAS so recognize marriage. "Marriage" please inform me if I am mistaken, is overseen by a religious official. I personally know many religious institutions, including many reform jewish synagogues and the Episcopalian church, that DO recognize it. It is THEN the governments' responcibilty to as well. The problem with marriage was that the government wasn't acknowledging it EVEN when the religious institution already had. Furthermore, it was not allowing for a state recognized alternative (read: civil union) when the religious institution wasn't. But I don't think the government has the right to go in and FORCE an institution to recognize it. That woud be like a government forcing religious people to break dietary restrictions and/or praying schedule. Its ridiculous.
The fact that the government hasn't recognized union *except Vermont* is indicative of the "Church's* hand behind a bit too far into the sphere of the *State's.* Its a two way street in which both were supposed to build up a wall, but all the "Moral" issues that fall under some sort of jurisdiction of the State right now feel awfully, how to put it bluntly, religious. I wouldn't say quite the same has happened in reverse.
The ideal should be to keep them totally seperate, but that's impossible since a lot of religions are exclusive in practice. Nor do I think the government shouldn't intercede if some religion is getting WAY too out of hand (and I DON'T mean cults), but that's a fine line to draw, so I'm willing to listen where someone might think it should be placed.
Its a slippery slope...
*damn you LMR*
