I'm not sure, but it seems their "rights" as pastors aren't in question. It's their "rights" as business owners. And there are state laws about how businesses aren't allowed to discriminate against certain people.
And so the question becomes: Isn't a business owner also constitutionally protected so as to have his own religious beliefs? Perhaps this is why the state needs to get out of regulating anything to do with religions of any kind. But that will likely mean doing away with tax exemptions. And should one be in a business that is essentially making a profit on marriage unions? It's one thing to sell cakes, dresses, tuxes, etc - but to make a profit from marrying people - I dunno - but I guess many pay the officiating minister some gratuity or such? So long ago I can't remember .
philip wrote:
And so the question becomes: Isn't a business owner also constitutionally protected so as to have his own religious beliefs?
I'm not sure, but I would think a business owner is protected within the law. I know it's an exaggeration, but should religious rights be protected if a business owner wants to sacrifice animals?
I would think if someone is certified by the state to perform marriages, then they must follow the laws of that state.
But I would think if it were a church, not a business, it would be different.
Whether we like it or not, I believe it's just a matter of time before same sex "marriage" will be legal in all 50 states. Or if Obama is still president, 57 states.
John 5:24 24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow
St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
Maybe a way to handle this is to base the issue upon whatever one is licensed to actually do. Licensing typically has varying qualifications. Let only those licensed to perform SS unions do so. All licensing is not the same, even within certain industries. And as long as there is a demand for it, there will be those who are willing to profit from providing the service. The idea that every merchant has to carry every product or service that others do is absurd - and it's not what we observe with other products and industries. Does Lowe's have to carry EVERY item and service that Home Depot does? Of course not. So why should every business have to provide some services just because others do? No availability of pastors or those licensed to perform SS marriages? Then any justice of the peace could do so. Since when is it a right to demand if some service is not carried by a business? This issue would go away in a heartbeat if we didn't have left-wing nutjob judges who haven't the foggiest understanding of our Constitution making ridiculous rulings.
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