Church court tries minister who performed same-sex marriages

[mike r]

Source: Los Angeles Times

A lesbian minister, who officiated at more than a dozen same-sex weddings during the brief window gay marriage was legal in California, goes to trial Thursday before a Presbyterian court, charged with violating her denomination's constitution.

The case of the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr has gained national attention because "what is being tested is the definition of marriage" in the Presbyterian faith, said the Rev. Carmen Fowler, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, a conservative organization that opposes same-sex marriage.

Spahr's trial, which will be held in Napa, begins less than three weeks after a federal court judge ruled that California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. And it underscores the awkward position in which changing civil law places many clergy members. Although the Presbyterian constitution does not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage, it defines marriage as "a civil contract between a woman and a man." But same-sex marriage is legal in five states and the District of Columbia and is working its way through the courts in California.

"More and more ministers are going to be put in a position where their church members are going to come to them asking for a wedding, and they're going to have to say yes," said the Rev. Beverly Brewster, Spahr's defense attorney. "Not to do so would violate many constitutional provisions about non-discrimination in pastoral care."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com//news/local/la-me-presbyterian-trial-20100824,0,7488491.story

[Downwinder]

1. If they let the Government make rules for their religious ceremonies what do they expect?

They better get ready to submit their sermons to the thought police for approval.

[Vehl]

2. ah the inquisition :) .nt

[alp227]

3. Church court? LMAO at their reality. n/t

[bluestateguy]

4. This is a church matter

Not a matter for the state or politics. I favor marriage equality being guaranteed by the state with all equal rights and privileges for gay and heterosexual couples that the state provides.

What churches, synagogues or mosques do is a private affair and it should never be the place of the government to compel a clergy to marry anyone.

[Downwinder]

5. Agreed, but it was the churches that pushed for legislation defining marriage.

They not only let the Government in, they threw open the door and begged the Government to come in.

[ingac70]

6. Church court?

Did his horse testify against him?