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Prop 8 judge to religious believers: It’s not about you

Reading: Prop 8 judge to religious believers: It’s not about you

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The ruling overturning Proposition 8 — the ban on gay marriage in California — is a fascinating document. If you have 20 minutes (you might skip some legalese) to read the ruling you will find Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s portrait of 21st century marriage will, depending on where you start, cheer or horrify you.

But since F&R focuses on religion, I’ll zero in on the relevant quotes in Walker’s ruling that address the interests of religious institutions, clergy and believers. You could summarize it pretty quickly, Walker seems to be saying, “‘Believers, it’s not about you.”

The ruling says:

Marriage in the United States has always been a civil matter. Civil authorities may permit religious leaders to solemnize marriages but not to determine who may enter or leave a civil marriage. Religious leaders may determine independently whether to recognize a civil marriage or divorce but that recognition or lack thereof has no effect on the relationship under state law.

Continue Reading at USA Today.

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