Religion vs. gay marriage

ne of the hottest hot-button issues that’s being discussed in state legislatures, in the White House and on pulpits is gay marriage. Here are two sides of the issue.

E.B.: I, personally, have no issue with two people being joined legally to each other as long as they’re not in my face with it and don’t tell me I must accept them. I do, however, have a problem with calling it marriage.

In the Roman Catholic faith, marriage is one of

Othe seven sacraments. The church can refuse to marry two people for a variety of reasons. For example, if someone was married and the church recognizes that marriage, and then they divorce, in the eyes of the church, that person may still be married and therefore not eligible to be married in a Catholic ceremony. Would anyone tell Jewish people how to conduct their religion? Or Muslims? Or Mormons? So why should Catholics have to recognize the modification of one of their blessed sacraments?

DYLAN: Marriage, as it exists in this country, is a legal contract between two consenting adults. You can be married by a judge or a justice of the peace. Divorce is a way to break that contract.

Now, if a couple wants to bring a religious element into their marriage, that’s their business. They can ask a priest or rabbi or a minister to marry them. If he or she refuses because they’re of the same sex or they’re of different religions or one of them is still considered married, that’s a religious problem for the couple, not a legal one.

Orthodox Jews don’t eat anything that comes from a pig, but I’ve never heard one say that pork chops should be illegal for everyone. Catholics don’t recognize divorce, but I’ve never heard a Catholic say that every person who gets divorced and then remarries is a bigamist.

Send your thoughts to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com.