Marriage Equality & Religion: The Massachusetts Experience

I don't understand the argument "Marriage is a religious institution." No it's not. You are only married at City Hall, the church ceremony is purely a tradition, but it's not legal anyway. It's the law! Hello! Hence, marriage is not tight to religious values, but to the law.

You don't like gay people getting married? Fine, but at least bring me an argument that makes sense (btw, there isn't one, but keep trying) :o)

youre disgusting

That's all you have to say uh? Sorry your brain is that small. bye

"Gay marriage" is NOT equality, but abuse of marriage!

a fictional book written by man speaks of it
not some fictional creature

evolution is real
now if you want a fairy tale look in the bible its the biggest one out there

or open minded and willing to give another guy a chance

The separation of church and state prevents the government from interfering with religious organisations, so the government cannot force any religious group to marry any couple for any reason. Orthodox Jews do not marry non-Jews. Catholics do not marry divorced people (or even interfaith couples without a permit from the bishop). All is fine, due to the separation.

I wonder why certain religious organisations think that they can try to dictate who can and cannot marry outside their churches.

My guess is that pastors will never be required by law to marry any couple because that would violate the principle of separation of church and state.

Where government gets involved in churches is that it sometimes refuses to provide government subsidies if those monies are going to be used for proselytizing, i.e. evangelizing, i.e. attempting to convert people to the religion or denomination of the particular church.

Colfax, I guess it's because they're private institutions. They're like private clubs, and the government says that you can discriminate within a private club. That's why the Boy Scouts can exclude gay people and atheists. And it's why churches can refuse to ordain women or refuse to marry people of different faiths.