Churches Change Bylaws to Avoid Potential Gay Marriage Lawsuits

Putting their positions on the matter down in writing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Worried they could be sued by gay couples, some churches are changing their bylaws to reflect their view that the Bible allows only marriage between one man and one woman.

Although there have been lawsuits against wedding industry businesses that refuse to serve gay couples, attorneys promoting the bylaw changes say they don't know of any lawsuits against churches.

Critics say the changes are unnecessary, but some churches fear that it's only a matter of time before one of them is sued.

Comments

[Charles.H.Anziulewicz@wv.]

As far as churches are concerned, I wouldn't worry. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship in the U.S. have always been free to conduct their own affairs as they see fit. Muslim and Atheist and Jewish couples are allowed to marry, and churches have never been compelled to provide any services to them. Nothing is going to change when Gay couples decide to tie the knot either.

And what does it really matter anyway? None of the legal benefits and protections of marriage come from the church, they come from GOVERNMENT. And couples have never needed church approval to obtain a civil marriage license.

In a nutshell: The government can't force a church to perform gay marriages, and churches can't prevent the government from recognizing them.

As for businesses that exist to turn a profit, that's a different story. All the bakeries and florists and caterers and photographers that people are wailing and gnashing their teeth about? They aren't in the business of enforcing moral codes or providing spiritual guidance, they exist to MAKE MONEY. And as such they are obligated to comply with civil rights laws, whether those civil rights law protect people based on race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.