Ministers threatened with jail and thousands in fines for refusing to marry gays

[Ada Lovelace]

A nearly century old business was opened at a time when the idea of homosexuals getting married was unheard of.

You've circumnavigated around the point. I know the vernacular of the Bible has been modified in some translations in the past century, but the meaning of the content has remained the same. You agree that the Bible significantly predates this business, right? If they are devout Christians who sincerely believe in operating their business in accordance to Biblical tenets why haven't they operated their business in accordance to Biblical tenets in all these years? Once again - the Hitching Post was established as a for-profit business to officiate over weddings rather than as a house of worship or other Christian entity. When the current owners purchased it in the 1980s they had the ability to convert it into a non-profit religious organization but they chose to remain a for-profit public accommodation business. Once again - over the past twenty five years of their ownership they did not adhere to some of the most pertinent, fundamental verses regarding Christian marriage that many churches have consistently upheld. If you don't see the hypocrisy in their actions you need to get new glasses for your outlook.

Changing the law to now force them to accommodate homosexual weddings is like a bait and switch

Was it a bait and switch when Ole Miss was forced against their passionately expressed will to admit black students in the 1960s after being historically white? How about when the Citadel which had been established as a public institution exclusively for men had to begin to admit qualified female applicants in the 90s? For centuries many of the most prestigious colleges and universities, both public and private, had been single-sex, and it wasn't until the 1960s that Georgetown, Yale, Princeton, Columbia and several other schools became coeducational. Jury boxes, police and military academies, and oh so many other places, institutions and employers used to be just for males and now women belong there. Hospitals, beaches, parks and other amenities and services that used to cater exclusively to a specific gender, race, or religion have been forced over the years to comply with non-discrimation ordinances. None of this was about a bait and switch. Amendments of ordinances and expectations are a natural part of societal progress.

 

[abysmul]

... it's not a house of worship.

Well maybe a worship of money, but I don't think that counts. (no pun intended. )

 

[Belk]

A nearly century old business was opened at a time when the idea of homosexuals getting married was unheard of. Changing the law to now force them to accommodate homosexual weddings is like a bait and switch

Well crude! I guess we can never ever change the laws because it might upset the delicate sensibilities of people who fear change. Guess women and blacks are just out of luck as well.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Well crude! I guess we can never ever change the laws because it might upset the delicate sensibilities of people who fear change. Guess women and blacks are just out of luck as well.

Noting that the ministers merely filed for injunctive relief to preclude them from being forced to engage in rituals with which they disagree.

 

[YeShallTread]

A pity the Bible is not endorsed by the government.

That depends upon which side of the government you are talking about.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Noting that the ministers merely filed for injunctive relief to preclude them from being forced to engage in rituals with which they disagree.

You mean "business practices."

 

[NightHawkeye]

You mean "business practices."

Marriage rituals -- Encyclopedia Britannica

The rituals and ceremonies surrounding marriage in most cultures are associated primarily with fecundity and validate the importance of marriage for the continuation of a clan, people, or society.​

 

[TLK Valentine]

Well crude! I guess we can never ever change the laws because it might upset the delicate sensibilities of people who fear change. Guess women and blacks are just out of luck as well.

Probably for the best -- you know how uppity they've gotten ever since we gave them rights.

I wonder if our friends on the Right consider amending the Constitution to be "bait and switch"? I mean, first blacks were 3/5 people; then suddenly they were people... That sound fair to you?

 

[YeShallTread]

Better also throw out the conservative judges that ruled for SSM as well.

That is a wonderful idea. You will find that on the right side...we don't take kindly (or keep in office/on the payroll) those who throw God under the bus...as opposed to the other side who seem to applaud bad behavior.

"Conservative judges" that rule as you say some did are the same as "ordained pastors" that marry same-sex couples. I believe that is called an oxy-moron or misnomer or to put it in simple terms...in-name-only folks.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Marriage rituals -- Encyclopedia Britannica

The rituals and ceremonies surrounding marriage in most cultures are associated primarily with fecundity and validate the importance of marriage for the continuation of a clan, people, or society.​

Do it for God; it's a ritual.
Do it for cash; it's a business.

 

[bhsmte]

That is a wonderful idea. You will find that on the right side...we don't take kindly (or keep in office/on the payroll) those who throw God under the bus...as opposed to the other side who seem to applaud bad behavior.

"Conservative judges" that rule as you say some did are the same as "ordained pastors" that marry same-sex couples. I believe that is called an oxy-moron or misnomer or to put it in simple terms...in-name-only folks.

Cool. Why don't you start working on that?

 

[YeShallTread]

Are there no civil marriage ceremonies in the US which has nothing to do with religion? Registry Offices?

Yes JayFern there are but...that isn't enough for the rainbow coalition. Why? Because Godly values are being tread down. As I said before...it is no more than a way to slap God in the face, to spit on Him as He died for us. Same thing.

 

[TLK Valentine]

That depends upon which side of the government you are talking about.

Not really -- I said "endorsed," not "exploited."

 

[NightHawkeye]

Do it for God; it's a ritual.
Do it for cash; it's a business.

Noting that I have repeatedly stated that government should get completely out of the "marriage business".

The main reason diverse groups seek marriage is for equality under the law, tax breaks and such. About that, I have absolutely no argument. The government should divorce itself from marriage and the preferential treatment it offers to those who choose to marry.

 

[OlduvaiGeorge]

Once again for the willfully ignorant: anyone who continues to report that the couple were "threatened" by the government with jail and/or fines is lying and anyone who posts those "news" reports is also lying and will go to Hell for continuing to lie.

 

[YeShallTread]

No God did not speak, men said God spoke and you believe them, why?

To know truth is a wonderful thing. As Pilate asked Christ...what is truth?


My answer to the question is to know God and to believe. That is why.

 

[YeShallTread]

The thing is, the issue has nothing to do with "the eyes of God." There is also the fact that nobody is being forced to do anything.

But it is "the thing," AirPo. If the "ministers" were just another Tom, Dick or AirPo...who would care?

If the ministers are facing a fine they are being forced. It is discrimination in the highest sense of the word...not on the gay folks but on the religious community.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Once again for the willfully ignorant: anyone who continues to report that the couple were "threatened" by the government with jail and/or fines is lying and anyone who posts those "news" reports is also lying and will go to Hell for continuing to lie.

Noting again that the newly passed ordinance attaches both incarceration and huge monetary fines for non-compliance.

 

[YeShallTread]

I wonder how Jesus would have reacted if he found ministers/priests running a business, making money, in a house of worship?

Oh, wait...

You have a good point. There are many doing that very thing today and they will be the first to be dealt with. Does that mean that the true house of God must be desecrated by true men of God that are forced to do something or pay a fine or have to leave their church?

 

[OlduvaiGeorge]

Noting again that the newly passed ordinance attaches both incarceration and huge monetary fines for non-compliance.