-Will Churches be Forced to Host Same-Sex Marriages?
by Dr. D ~ August 3rd, 2013
Methodist Ocean Grove Camp
There is real concern among conservative pastors that they may be forced to allow their church buildings to be used for same-sex marriages. At least one Kansas town was considering a statute that would force churches that rent out their facilities to host same-sex ceremonies. Also a Methodist camp facility has already lost its tax exempt status and several lawsuits so may soon be forced to rent out its facilities for gay celebrations. So the concerns are not unreasonable.
In fact, the Alliance Defending Freedom has suggested that all churches have an official policy drawn up concerning the use of their facilities. Such a policy they say would be helpful in protecting and defending churches from uses that are contrary to their beliefs. They have even prepared a sample document that might be helpful in the process.
Fortunately we still have a Constitution and a First Amendment that should protect our religious liberty in America. While ministers and congregations may not be forced to support and participate in same-sex ceremonies that are contrary to their religious beliefs, if their church facilities are rented out for public uses such as weddings then some believe that churches could be forced into hosting same-sex marriages regardless. So that may be a coming legal battle that churches in America may soon be facing.
In Europe some of the state churches are already being forced to participate in same-sex marriages whether they want to or not. In the UK, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Church of England should host gay marriages and now a gay couple is suing to force that possibility on the church. Here’s the story from the Christian Institute:
Wealthy gay dad, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, says he and his civil partner Tony will go to court to force churches to host gay weddings.
He told the Essex Chronicle that he will take legal action because “I am still not getting what I want”.
A Government Bill legalising gay marriage passed Parliament recently but it included measures to protect churches from being forced to perform same-sex weddings.
Response: How long will it be before some gay couples in America say the same thing?:
“I am still not getting what I want”
Particularly if there happens to be a beautiful church building that they would like to be married in but can’t get approval. There are lawsuits coming in the future against conservative churches in America and pastors and/or administrators need to be prepared for that eventuality. *Top
Here’s another good article on this same subject: Church Buildings and Same-Sex “Wedding” Ceremonies
