Sharp divisions after high court backs gay marriage

When asked what is “more important for the government to do” in a conflict – protection “religious liberties” or protect “the rights of gays and lesbians” – Americans chose religious liberties, 56-39 percent.

It isn’t known why the percentage has fallen, although debates in the news over religious freedom – such as whether business owners and state officials should be able to have religious objections – may have had an impact. Kansas contends it has recognized such unions since a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month legalizing them. Despite waves of equal rights legislation over the past 50 years, Catholic clergy are not forced to marry people who are divorced. By comparison, 46 percent said businesses in general should be allowed to refuse service because of their religious principles, while 51 percent said that should not be allowed. An initial review found about 20 forms that needed to be changed. Whether same-sex marriage is a good idea should be of no concern to us. The amendment was ratified March 17 after a majority of the PCUSA’s 171 presbyteries approved it, according to the PCUSA website.

The Episcopal and Presbyterian churches allow for gay unions, so, no, there is no unanimity among many Christian denominations on the subject. God does not say anything about marriage or homosexuality in the Bible even if you believe God spoke through the men who wrote it. Marriages in the Bible are polygamous, arranged alliances and are sometimes between cousins.

At the University of Tennessee, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek told employees via email that UT will offer insurance benefits to married same-sex couples following the Supreme Court decision, describing it as “historic”. “For many, it is a positive step biblically and constitutionally”. While couples can use them to take care of their children while they are alive, Social Security benefits can also cover a child in the event of a parent’s passing. “For others, the Court’s decision is contrary to biblical and traditional understandings of marriage”.

Gay rights supporters Brian Sprague (L) and Charlie Ferrusi, from Albany, New York, hold a Human Rights flag outside U.S. Supreme Court building on June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC.

That’s down substantially from the 48% of Americans who supported gay marriage, back in April.

“PCUSA churches are not the only ones that have no ecclesiastical backstop on this”, LaBerge said in written comments.

“We (did) tell them this marriage could end up being void if their state doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages”, Ming-Mendoza said. One of them was Katy Faust who was raised by a gay mom in Portland, Oregon.