More from the Christian Taliban.
Meant to discriminate against both LGBT and non-religious. Maybe we need to get ordained in the FSM church?Non-religious need not apply: A new bill in Missouri would redefine any marriage that take place outside of a church as a domestic union.
House Bill 1424, introduced by State Rep. T.J. Berry, a Republican lawmaker and ordained church deacon, would essentially restrict all marriage to people of faith by redefining any marriage not solemnized inside a church as a domestic union.
Pink News notes:
The bill would define marriage as being a union that takes place only in religious institutions.
Any marriages that were to take place outside of the church, for example in a registry office, would only be recognised as domestic unions.
Sponsors of the bill say that the change in definition would work to protect churches and businesses against gay encroachment.
David McAfee, writing for Friendly Atheist, spoke with Rep. Berry, a member and deacon at First Baptist Church of Kearney, Missouri. Berry admits that his bill was an attempt to redefine marriage in favor of churches, noting:
If someone wants to go through a religious ceremony they may go to the church that they feel comfortable with. If a couple wants to receive government benefits they would get a civil document from the government.
Supporters of the bill claim the new law redefining marriage would act as a remedy to controversies across the country involving government employees who object to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples for religious reasons.
