Banning atheists from getting married

[Jazzy]

Oklahoma is banning atheists from getting married

In what has been described as a not-so-covert attack on gay marriage, a bill banning non-religious people from marrying and requiring all marriage licences be approved by a member of the clergy has been passed in Oklahoma.

The bill, which was approved by the Oklahoma state House last week and will now go to the state Senate for consideration, would restrict marriage only to people of faith.

But while it might seem on the surface like an assault on atheism, critics are saying that it is same-sex unions that the bill is not-so-stealthily attacking. By making the clergy – not judges and court clerks – the sole marriage licence issuers, it will be more difficult for gay marriages to take place.

‘Marriage was not instituted by government,’ said Rep. Dennis Johnson, who backed the bill.

‘It was instituted by God. There is no reason for Oklahoma or any state to be involved in marriage.’

Rep. Todd Russ, who sponsored the bill, told KSWO-TV that it stemmed from his personal opposition to marriage equality, saying same-sex marriage laws were ‘stuck down our throats’ by the Supreme Court despite Oklahoma voting ‘overwhelmingly’ against it.

Troy Stevenson, head of the LGBT advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma, said that the community would ‘fight back’ against the ‘discriminatory legislation’ – but added that there was a silver lining.

‘There are… 160 members of the clergy who have publicly declared their willingness to marry LGBT people [in Oklahoma],’ he said.

Thoughts?

 

[Dee]

Ridiculous. It's like watching parts of the world step back in time, and there's no turning back.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

I am a atheist and will say it once again, ANYONE at anytime can get married whenever they want. This is government backed marriage for the free goodies. No one is stopping you from getting married unless you want the free stuff. That said this is a silly law. But just get government out of marriage 100% and all this nonsense ends today.

 

[seasidemike]

wow.. how 1600's is that???

 

[MrDawn]

I thought everyone was entitled to equal rights?

Thats bullshit. I hope it gets appealed.

I think everyone should have the right to get married. Religious or not.

 

[zoldos]

F that shit. It impends on personal choice, and marriage is about the 2 people, NOT what freaking religion they are.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

F that shit. It impends on personal choice, and marriage is about the 2 people, NOT what freaking religion they are.

For a lot of people it’s just a business transaction.

 

[Webster]

Oklahoma is banning atheists from getting married


Thoughts?

Apparently "Evangelica'l" Oklahoma forgets that are there an awful lot of Christians - like myself - who don't subscribe to their version of Christianity (that'd include Catholics, Adventists, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc., etc.,....

 

[zoldos]

For a lot of people it’s just a business transaction.

That's a shame. It should be about love. In some other countries, it's about wealth. A poor family's daughter will be arranged to marry a rich man. But even if she doesn't like him, she has to marry him. That's pretty crappy too, IMO.

 

[MrDawn]

F that shit. It impends on personal choice, and marriage is about the 2 people, NOT what freaking religion they are.

I agree. This is very atheophobic of Christians that are involved to do. Historically, marriage was never exclusive to religion. The sole function of it was to unite and join families. It was in 800 AD when Christians adopted it where they've tried to redefine it.

 

[zoldos]

 

[Webster]

ANYONE at anytime can get married whenever they want.

That is rich as hell coming from you.

 

[zoldos]

Honestly, my g/f and I don't really see the need for marriage. We both have insurance and an income and no tax dependents. It just seems like paperwork and money. We don't need that to show our love for each other....