Religious politicians sure are a great thing.

http://metro.co.uk/2015/03/17/oklahoma-is-banning-atheists-from-getting-married-5107328/
In what has been described as a not-so-covert attack on gay marriage, a bill banning non-religious people from marrying and requiring all marriage licences be approved by a member of the clergy has been passed in Oklahoma.

The bill, which was approved by the Oklahoma state House last week and will now go to the state Senate for consideration, would restrict marriage only to people of faith.

But while it might seem on the surface like an assault on atheism, critics are saying that it is same-sex unions that the bill is not-so-stealthily attacking. By making the clergy – not judges and court clerks – the sole marriage licence issuers, it will be more difficult for gay marriages to take place.

‘Marriage was not instituted by government,’ said Rep. Dennis Johnson, who backed the bill.

‘It was instituted by God. There is no reason for Oklahoma or any state to be involved in marriage.’

Rep. Todd Russ, who sponsored the bill, told KSWO-TV that it stemmed from his personal opposition to marriage equality, saying same-sex marriage laws were ‘stuck down our throats’ by the Supreme Court despite Oklahoma voting ‘overwhelmingly’ against it.

Troy Stevenson, head of the LGBT advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma, said that the community would ‘fight back’ against the ‘discriminatory legislation’ – but added that there was a silver lining.

‘There are… 160 members of the clergy who have publicly declared their willingness to marry LGBT people [in Oklahoma],’ he said.

Pick whatever other source you want.

‘Marriage was not instituted by government,’ said Rep. Dennis Johnson, who backed the bill.

‘It was instituted by God. There is no reason for Oklahoma or any state to be involved in marriage.’

I feel like there should be some sort of oversight committee in congress that can quickly recall representatives that clearly have no understanding of the basic tenets of our laws.

omg lol

i just become more and more proud to be living in oklahoma

i just become

Looks like they need to reform some education bills.

'Murica!!

Aren't you proud of your country, Slash?

I'm curious to see how this develops further now. Can't say I'm too surprised though. The separation of church and state has always been rather flimsy in the US.

What I love is the only thing this country cares about are guns. We all know a bill banning guns wouldn't have made it to the state Senate. I'm hoping to get enough money in the future just so I can move out of this joke of a country. Maybe before that the retards we have in office die off or loose power and this country becomes developed like the ones in Europe.   

I wonder if I can be ordained online and make some money in Oklahoma.

Woohoo! That Separation of Church and State and Freedom of Religion doesn't mean Freedom from religion. Yeah! FREEDOM! -_-

If marriage carried no special benefits, I'd agree with this completely. But as a spouse, you get privelges relating to your partner that you can't get anywhere else. If we just made civil unions equatable to marriage in terms of these privelges, this would be a non issue.

now all they need to do is make gay divorce illegal

Quote

‘Marriage was not instituted by government,’ said Rep. Dennis Johnson, who backed the bill.

‘It was instituted by God. There is no reason for Oklahoma or any state to be involved in marriage.’

I feel like there should be some sort of oversight committee in congress that can quickly recall representatives that clearly have no understanding of the basic tenets of our laws.

....Can...can you please help me wrap my brain around his logic?

"The government should not get involved in marriage, but I support and vote for this bill so the government can get involved in marriage."

Fucking what?

Quote from: SecondClass on March 19, 2015, 08:13:12 PM

If marriage carried no special benefits, I'd agree with this completely. But as a spouse, you get privelges relating to your partner that you can't get anywhere else. If we just made civil unions equatable to marriage in terms of these privelges, this would be a non issue.

I disagree.

Marriage has serious cultural and emotional significance for people. It's not like the Army where grunts just marry the first fat broad they meet at the club so they can get that sweet sweet housing allowance. Lots of gay folks want to be married as an expression of complete dedication and loyalty to their partner, not just for "muh benefits". It may be practically the same, but when you give it a sterile name like "civil union" it loses a lot of it's weight and perceived value.

Of course, Marriage shouldn't carry any legal benefits at all.

Marriage has always been about benefits. For example royalty would marry their kid(s) to another royal family due to power wise or protection.   

At least they're consistent.