A bill making its way through the California Legislature would protect a religion from losing its tax exempt status for refusing to conduct a sex-marriage — a concern raised by supporters of Proposition 8.
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Our take: A bill making its way through the California Legislature would protect a religion from losing its tax exempt status for refusing to conduct a sex-marriage a concern raised by supporters of Proposition 8. But the bills sponsor acknowledges the proposal, which has passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the Assembly, only implies that religious institutions do not have to rent to same-sex couples seeking to use a church or synagogue for the ceremony, and that the Legislature cannot control the loss of federal funds.
Supporters of Proposition 8, the 2008 initiative that banned same-sex marriage, said they were concerned that churches would be forced to perform the ceremonies or face losing their nonprofit status.
So far, courts reviewing the measure which since was overturned in February have not latched on to that argument. Now, one of the Legislature's most ardent same-sex marriage backers is trying to make it a moot point.
Read more about California bill would shield churches from performing gay marria on KansasCityStar.com.
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Matt writes about faith how it is lived, how it intersects with society and how current trends affect religious practice. He returned to reporting and writing after more than 12 years as an editor, most recently a more ..
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The loss of tax exempt status isn't due to refusing to perform same-sex marriages (you wouldn't have to anyway, the first amendment protects your right to not do it), it was about using the weight of your religious organization to infringe More..
There are plenty of dishonest opponents of marriage equality that will muddy the waters by knowingly making false claims about churches being forced to perform same-gender marriages. And there are plenty of clueless people on the fence that will More..
Really this is already a protection afforded by the Constitution by the first amendment so this sort of bill isn't necessary but hey if it makes you sleep better at night to pass it, go right ahead.