[Magdalen] Scripture Study Redux

[Ann Markle]

And further, in the ancient Church, if people's religious beliefs mandated
that they do or not do certain things, then they risked (and often
suffered) the consequences, even if that meant a death penalty, rather than
trying to get the government to absolve them of consequences.

Ann

The Rev. Ann Markle
Buffalo, NY
ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
blog:  www.onewildandpreciouslife.typepad.com

On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 7:13 PM, Roger Stokes <roger.stokes65 at btinternet.com
> wrote:

> It seems to me that the dissenting and protesting Justices are forgetting
> an essential concomitant of the constitutional separation of Church and
> state.  A faith body can impose whatever restrictions it likes on its own
> members.  It should not seek to constrain the ability of the various civil
> authorities to do what they believe is right for the populace as a whole.
>
> Nobody is compelled to avail themselves of the permissions the civil law
> grants.  All that is required is that faith groups and others recognize
> these as legitimate options for those who do not share their faith
> position.  Faith groups can say "we do not think this is wise" and give
> reasons for that view but those reasons should not derive solely from a
> faith standpoint.  If they do then they will (rightly) be rejected by those
> who do not share that standpoint.
>
> There have been problems over the years in Ireland as various
> Catholic-inspired parts of their Conbstitution have been rolled back under
> public pressure. This side of the pond the government has legislated on how
> faith groups may avail themselves of the right to solemnise same-sex
> marriages.  The default position is that they cannot do so unless the
> national body agrees to apply for permission.
>