Okay, let's start with the county clerks. In my opinion as public servants, they don't have the right to refuse. State says that its legal, the right papers are filed, fees are paid, my personal beliefs have nothing to do with it. Clerks who refuse should be suspended without pay or fired.
Now, Catholic Charities is a different kettle of fish, we work with them all the time. The reason "they" can tell Catholic Charities what to do is due to the fact they receive millions and millions of dollars in public money (federal and state). If they want to refuse all public money and go with private donations only, then it would be no problem for them to refuse whoever they wanted. But they want to receive federal money and discriminate.
As for the photograph, why would I want someone to photograph my wedding/committment ceremony if they didn't want too? Could I force them? Maybe, but why, they will just be resentful and do a lousy job. I'm sorry there are too many good photographers out there to waste time with this. She should have been allowed to refuse for whatever reason or no reason.
I don't think that churchs should be tax exempt in the first place. That aside, I don't think they should be required to perform marriages that go against their beliefs. Again, why would I want to begin my committment to my loving partner surrounded by people who wished us ill. There is enough ugliness and evil in the world that will find you, without seeking it out on purpose.
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Date: 2008-06-18 03:05 pm (UTC)Now, Catholic Charities is a different kettle of fish, we work with them all the time. The reason "they" can tell Catholic Charities what to do is due to the fact they receive millions and millions of dollars in public money (federal and state). If they want to refuse all public money and go with private donations only, then it would be no problem for them to refuse whoever they wanted. But they want to receive federal money and discriminate.
As for the photograph, why would I want someone to photograph my wedding/committment ceremony if they didn't want too? Could I force them? Maybe, but why, they will just be resentful and do a lousy job. I'm sorry there are too many good photographers out there to waste time with this. She should have been allowed to refuse for whatever reason or no reason.
I don't think that churchs should be tax exempt in the first place. That aside, I don't think they should be required to perform marriages that go against their beliefs. Again, why would I want to begin my committment to my loving partner surrounded by people who wished us ill. There is enough ugliness and evil in the world that will find you, without seeking it out on purpose.