Gay Marriage Ban Violates Religious Freedom

[GSOgymrat]

I love this. That sound you don't hear is Fox News not rushing to commend these churches for protecting religious freedom.

Clergy Members Claim North Carolina Gay Marriage Ban Violates Their Religious Freedom

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/north-carolina-gay-marriage_n_5228849.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A coalition of clergy members filed a novel federal lawsuit Monday against North Carolina's constitutional ban on gay marriage, saying it violates their religious freedom.

The clergy members said that they'd like to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies in their congregations, but that they can't because of the "unjust law." Their attorney, Jake Sussman, says it's the only case to bring the First Amendment religious freedom claims among the more than 60 marriage equality cases pending in the nation's state and federal courts.

"North Carolina's marriage laws are a direct affront to freedom of religion," said the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, executive minister with the Cleveland-based United Church of Christ, which is a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "We feel that it is important that any person that comes into community life of a United Church of Christ congregation be afforded equal pastoral care and equal opportunity to religious services that clergy provide." ...

[Jeff G]

I love it ... brilliant move .

[Jmarksto]

This is brilliant - and so applicable in all states.

[tednlou2]

That never occurred to me-- churches making a claim their religious views are being infringed, because they cannot marry members of their congregation.  Most churches, even pro-gay, still want members to be married and not living out of wedlock. 

Love it!