[Magdalen] Scripture Study Redux

[Jim Guthrie]

From: Roger Stokes

>Church and state.  A faith body can impose whatever restrictions it likes on 
>its own members.  It should not seek to constrain the ability

There is probably nothing more un-American than the RCC and conservative 
evangelicals, Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Muslims demanding government 
impose**their** view of marriage and who's eligible on other churches.

Some folk make  a big-do about the state function being performed as part of the 
rite, but pretty much anyone can  conduct such a rite in the U.S.   -- Witness 
the thousands of people who have their certificate as a "Universal Life" 
minister, for example(there are lots of others), as well as those empowered for 
one day by a local Judge or Justice of the peace.

Brick and Mortar churches hardly have a corner on the market.

Cheers,
Jim Guthrie