Defiant church won't marry straight couples

[deadparrot]

MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minneapolis church has voted to stop performing civil marriages for heterosexuals because civil marriage isn't offered to same-gender couples.

"I will officiate at only religious marriages for same- and opposite-gender couples alike," said the Rev. Don Portwood of the Lyndale United Church of Christ. "I will no longer sign marriage licenses as an agent of the state of Minnesota, until the state of Minnesota recognizes the loving commitment of all couples."

The congregation's April 9 vote makes the church the second in the state to refuse to perform civil marriages. White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church made a similar stand a few years ago.

Lyndale joins a small group of churches across the country that won't perform civil marriages for male-female couples because same-sex couples aren't allowed to marry.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/defiantchurchwontmarrystraightcouples

[babylonsister]

1. BRAVO!!!!! Thank you!

[AndyTiedye]

2. That Is So Cool!!

:yourock:

[Kajsa]

3. Good for them!!

This is great! Imagine if more places of worship stood up against
this discrimination.

:D

[2Design]

4. united church of christ has some great ads here in se fla

They show people being ejected from seats in church for obvious discrimination and end with God doesn't reject people and neither do they ---- it is a real positive ad

[donco6]

36. They wouldn't allow those here in Denver.

But they have ads on the radio that are good.

They may even help assuage my distaste for Christianity.

[yasmina27]

39. I saw that too

in western PA. I cheered!

[bobbieinok]

41. haven't national networks refused to accept those ads?????

[ruggerson]

5. Let's hope this is a growing trend

[gratuitous]

24. It is

I don't know if it's a growing trend in terms of churches choosing not to perform wedding ceremonies for anyone, but the number of congregations that are openly accepting of g/l/b/t/i persons is growing every day, and after toiling in this particular vineyard for the past 15 years, I've never heard of a congregation that voted to become open and affirming that went back.

I really like the concept that they're not going to marry anyone. Because that's the sort of thing that will shock many complacent folks into considering the issue in a new light: "They're not performing weddings for straight people? Why, isn't that discrimination or something?" Well yes, you could say that; how does it feel to be on the receiving end? Not very good, I'll warrant.

[JohnInToronto]

42. A church that "went back"

A "downtown" Presbyterian Church in Owensboro, KY "went back" about five years ago with an oldtimer's coup that refused to accept a dozen new members, fired the pastor and recinded its recently adopted More Light Presbyterian status. The fired pastor led about half the congregation to establish a new congregation that eventually became a church in the United Church of Christ, a generally welcoming reformed denomination that is actually growing! They are quite successful now as a small but growing "welcoming" church in the UCC.

[MelliMel]

34. Maybe

It may also backfire. People might not think, "Oh, well I couldn't get married so I understand now". Many may instead just become crazy ass homophobes. Like we need anymore...

What really needs to happen is that straight folk need to support gay and lesbian folk in their struggle for equal state sanctioned marriages. That will be more helpful.

When Prop 22 passed out here in 2000, I almost ripped my own hair out because I was running into so many in the gay and straight (but gay friendly :-)) community who thought there was no way it was going to pass so they didn't bother fighting against it.

[roguevalley]

6. God lives among them. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Trulyu an act of courage and conscience.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. That's wonderful news!

:bounce:

[DIKB]

9. I love it

A Great way to protest the discriminatory actions of the pseudo-christians. Their bigoted religious views belong in their churches.

I say keep the civil unions, and religious marriages COMPLETELY separate. Everyone, regardless of how they choose to view their relationship, should have to apply for a civil union.

I'd take it a step further, if pastors/churches don't have to pay taxes, then they have NO RIGHT joining two people together.

It's how they do it in Mexico, you get married once for the church, and once for the law, and I've NEVER heard any of my family members complain about it being that way.

[Kber]

26. I agree completely

they are two separate issues - being married in the "eyes of god and the community" and being legally "a couple" in the eyes of the state should have nothing to do with each other.

[BattyDem]

10. That is AWESOME!

Good for them! :applause:

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

11. How Christ-like!

As opposed to the motormouthed pharisees of fascism, the Southern Baptists, Falwell, Robertson, et al, this action is actually Christ-like, which is what "Christian" means.

K&R!:toast:

[arewenotdemo]

12. most excellent

[troubleinwinter]

13. Yessirree, by golly. This is grand. RIGHT ON!

[mom cat]

14. WOOT! Fortunately Massachusetts churches do not have that

problem.

[Jim Lane]

15. They would for out-of-state hetero couples (n/t)

[tavalon]

16. Rock on!!!

Yes!

[DarkTirade]

17. All it takes sometimes is one little rock to start rolling...

and before you know it, we'll have an avalanche.
I hope this is that one little rock.

[rodeodance]

18. Good for them.

[LynnTheDem]

19. UNITED church of Christ. BRAVO, Rev. Don!

A true CHRISTian. And a good soul.

:loveya:

[xchrom]

20. woo-hoo

:woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[bdot]

21. Good thing there are plenty of churches out there that will marry couples.

[sutz12]

22. Nice to see some real religious people for once..

Let's hope it's just the start.
On a darker note, I hope he hired security for his church. :scared:

[greekspeak]

23. Well Damn!

Thank you! :bounce:

[Zenlitened]

25. Major applause for them.

:applause:

[Vidar]

27. Courageous stand.

[YankeyMCC]

28. "Church upholds American Values"

Is another way this piece could've been headlined, the value in particular being separation of Church and state.

People don't have to get a civil license to make other xian sacraments like say confirmation, Jewish people don't get licenses for bartmismas and on and on. The fact that the sacrament of marriage is tied up with the civil need for some form of family contract is holding back social progress.

Let the churches perform whatever sort of marriages they want or don't but afford everyone equal access to a civil marriage. The fight for equality inside any particular church may also be a worthy fight but to my mind it is a different fight than the one for equality under the law.

No one should have marriage certificates from the state they should all be 'civil unions' or however you want to term a familial contract for use in legal and civil issues. People should only be 'married' in regards to however their particular faith and church carries out that tradition separate from the state.

[sutz12]

40. Excellent point, Yank

I believe that is how it is all over Europe. The civil union is separate from the church wedding.

I would love to see that here. Oh the irony, then the Fundies would have to apply for civil unions. :)

Plus, the civil contract could handle matters like property settlements and pre-nups (perhaps require pre-nups?). Any body who only gets a church wedding doesn't get any of the legal support from the state. I like it. :)

[leQ]

29. i think i finally found a church (n/t)

[arwalden]

30. Thanks Rev. Portwood!

:patriot:

[annabanana]

31. This is how it should be across the board...

Churches should NEVER do "civil ceremonies".. They should never sign ANYthing as "agents of the state".

[DuaneBidoux]

32. Proud to be Unitarian!

[ldf]

33. what would REALLY make things start happening

would be if our straight brothers and sisters started openly and PUBLICLY refusing to get married, until same-sex couples were allowed the same option.

but we know THAT is not going to happen. they can talk the talk, but won't walk the walk.

but at least these christians are practicing what they preach, love and acceptance, rather than what the fundies preach, hate and intolerance.

[ruggerson]

35. kick n/t

[MadMaddie]

37. Miracles do happen...

These are real Christians....fighting for the oppressed...Sounds Jesus like doesn't it?

Bravo....

[drduffy]

38. Am a Unitarian who was last married in a United Church of Christ

those are all good folks...... setting the right example!!

[Kailassa]

43. There is no way I'd get married while certain people cannot.

I'm not telling others what they should do, but I would feel I was immoral to enjoy an opportunity that the government was depriving others of. To my mind, that would make me "accessory after the fact" to a crime.

The only way to fight discrimination is by all standing together.