|
marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2007 : 12:37:10
|
I couldn't find the original thread that I thought I started on this topic, but here's an update on the whole PA marriage laws discriminating explicitly against religious groups which do not have "congregations" (in particular the Universal Life Church). Apparently the discrimination extends to even denying couples the uniquely Pennsylvanian "self uniting marriage license" unless they are self-declared Quakers or Ba'hai - both religions which traditionally have no clergy. (This is pretty funny from my perspective since over a year ago I officiated the wedding of a Humanist couple using such a license, and atheist officiate Margaret Downey, president of the Atheist Alliance International, has been officiating wedding for couples with those self-united licenses for years.) Funny because if the state were to annul all the marriages done in this fashion, we're literally talking about thousands of people, many of whom have been enjoying the benefits of legal marriage for years!
The ACLU has taken on the case and I've been informed by the Humanist Society (which I have certification as a celebrant through) that they are currently unsure whether or not whether the law excludes our clergy from legal officiate privileges or not.
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2007/09/pennsylvaina-suit-claims-religious.html
|
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
|
Edited by - marfknox on 11/13/2007 12:39:21
|
|
more on the wacky marriage laws in PA
