Timbre of a TimeFree Mind
Kevin and Darren live in Portland Oregon and are a gay, committed couple. We believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all...regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, nationality, financial status, and being. Erase man-made borders and "they" become "we". New Site: HERE.Tuesday, November 30
thoughts from my cousin, Karin
I have been thinking a lot about the election, too. I am very
disappointed in the outcome of Measure 36 - but, perhaps because I work for
a government I may have a different perspective. You see, I believe in 'equal
rights for all', 'separation of church and state' and the 'freedom of
worship'. If we, as a government, issue licenses, then those licenses
should be available to all. By issuing a license, we are not performing
'marriages/civil unions', but allowing 2 individuals to do so.
disappointed in the outcome of Measure 36 - but, perhaps because I work for
a government I may have a different perspective. You see, I believe in 'equal
rights for all', 'separation of church and state' and the 'freedom of
worship'. If we, as a government, issue licenses, then those licenses
should be available to all. By issuing a license, we are not performing
'marriages/civil unions', but allowing 2 individuals to do so.
The license is then presented to whoever performs the ceremony, be it civil
or religious. The government, in issuing licenses, is not telling any church
that they have to accept that license. They may worship as their conscience
dictates. So the 'Church of Uptight Reactionaries' does not have to allow a
'marriage/civil union' to take place in their church - because of separation
of church and state. The state shall not tell any church what it can or
cannot practice.
or religious. The government, in issuing licenses, is not telling any church
that they have to accept that license. They may worship as their conscience
dictates. So the 'Church of Uptight Reactionaries' does not have to allow a
'marriage/civil union' to take place in their church - because of separation
of church and state. The state shall not tell any church what it can or
cannot practice.
But, by disallowing certain licenses to be issued, we are
now interfering with some faiths - there are churches that celebrate all
unions, regardless of gender. So, we have now passed a law restricting
certain religions to practice their beliefs. Section 2 of the Oregon
Constitution states: 'Freedom of Worship. All men shall be secure in the
Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their
own consciences.' Section 3 states: 'Freedom of Religious Opinion. No law
shall in any case whatever control the free exercise, and enjoyment of
religeous (sic) opinions, or interfere with the rights of conscience.'
now interfering with some faiths - there are churches that celebrate all
unions, regardless of gender. So, we have now passed a law restricting
certain religions to practice their beliefs. Section 2 of the Oregon
Constitution states: 'Freedom of Worship. All men shall be secure in the
Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their
own consciences.' Section 3 states: 'Freedom of Religious Opinion. No law
shall in any case whatever control the free exercise, and enjoyment of
religeous (sic) opinions, or interfere with the rights of conscience.'
I'm sorry that equal rights are not yet extended to you and Darren. Hopefully,
things will change sooner than the election would indicate.
Happy Thanksgiving, and love to you both.......... Karin
things will change sooner than the election would indicate.
Happy Thanksgiving, and love to you both.......... Karin
posted by jikido # 9:02 AM 
Archives
July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005
