USA Today:
Six in 10 Americans say the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose, a survey finds. As same-sex couples line up to get marriage licenses in California on June 17, the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found that 63% of adults say same-sex marriage is “strictly a private decision” between two people.
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After Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2004, 11 states voted on similar questions.
But these poll findings “suggest caution” to conservative activists who think this will mobilize voters, he says. “People were warned, with lots of overheated rhetoric, about the consequences of gay marriage in Massachusetts. They didn’t see it affect their own lives. Now, most people have let loose a collective yawn about the issue.”
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A majority of respondents at every level of education and income say same-sex marriage is “strictly private.” This was true:
• In every region: East (71%), West (64%), Midwest (63%) and South (56%).
• Among all ages except “65 and older”: 18 to 29 (79%), 30 to 49 (65%), 50 to 64% (62%) and 65 and older (44%).
• Among people who also say they have a favorable view of any of the three leading presidential candidates. For those holding favorable views for John McCain, 55% say marriage is a private decision; for Barack Obama, 75% say so; and for Hillary Clinton, 69% do. All three oppose same-sex marriage. Both Democrats both favor civil unions.
It would appear that it is just a matter of time before no major candidate for president senses the need to take a position that is in all likelihood contrary to their personal views.
The Eldorado Hills Telegraph has a story on how the California ruling affects churches, or not:
Area churches are divided on whether they face an ethical issue around discrimination after a court decision struck down California’s anti-gay-marriage law.
Folsom residents interviewed tended to support churches’ legal exemption from the May 15 ruling, which is binding on civil marriage only. State Supreme Court justices ruled the California Constitution’s equal protection clause prohibits discrimination against same-gender couples.
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Exemption for churches from the ruling May 15 ruling is based on the doctrine of separation of church and state, and a church’s status as a non-public institution.
The doctrine of separation of church and state, and a church’s status as a non-public institution, combine to base an exemption for churches from the ruling.
Residents’ support of the exemption was guarded and in some cases tinged with irony.
“A church is the one place you can get by with discrimination,” said Rich VanDusen.
Rescue Baptist Church Pastor Gene Harmon said his church’s no-gay-marriage policy finds sufficient ethical grounding in Biblical scripture. He noted his church doors are open to all people for worship.
“I’d say it is moral not to allow same-sex marriage,” Harmon said. “The word of God has the final word.”
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Brian Baker, dean of the cathedral at Trinity Episcopal Church in Sacramento, noted that no area Episcopal church can decide for itself on the marriage issue.
“We’re part of the Diocese of Northern California, and the bishop doesn’t allow same-sex marriage,” Baker said. “In Roman Catholic churches, the decision would come from a higher ministerial — the pope.”
Baker said denominations vary in considering “paramount” either of two of Jesus Christ’s outstanding human or quasi-divine virtues — purity and compassion.
“I disagree there’s no moral issue around discrimination,” Baker said.
Rescue Baptist Church’s Harmon said, “My calling from God says compassion cannot enter.”