Separation of church and state...Why are religious institutions inconsistent in its application?

Finally! Opposing sides agree on SOMETHING!

New Jersey Attorney General, Stuart Rabner, recently ruled that clery cannot be forced to sanctify same-sex civil unions. It makes sense to us that the separation of church and state would confirm this situation.

At least Rabner is consistent is his application. The attorney general issued another opinion last month saying mayors and other non-clergy who regularly perform marriages cannot turn down gay couples who ask to have civil unions performed.

Those officials, he said, will have to perform the unions in New Jersey or stop doing all weddings. To perform any marriage requested but then turn down civil unions would be a violation of the anti-discrimination law, he said.

So, what's our beef? Our beef is that the Catholic church (and many other religious institutions) don't seem to be able to grasp this consistency.

For example, consider Andrew Walton's comments (he's a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Camden). He told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the opinion "affirms the obvious."

Requiring priests to perform civil unions, he said to the Inquirer, "would violate, in a fundamental way, the First Amendment of the Constitution, which exists to protect religious organizations from the state on these kinds of matters. The state cannot dictate the religious, liturgical or sacramental practices of any religious organization."

Duh, now!! So why don't they understand this in reverse? If they did, they would not oppose giving same gender couples the "civil right of marriage," understanding that it does not threaten them in any way, and does not inhibit or impact their practice of their religious faith.

Leaders of Garden State Equality told the Inquirer that Rabner's ruling was "of no surprise to us, nor of any upset." Note that they say "nor of any upset." Why? Because they understand what most in our community understand and support. The separation of church and state protects religious institutions. Now, that doesn't mean the members within the church bodies won't have to "duke it out." After all, what's a church if there isn't a lot of fighting about whether or not to support equality? It is a historical battle! (: Seriously, members within the church would have to confront those decisions, the very issue that many are already dealing with today.

"We've always said that clergy don't have to perform ceremonies against their conscience," said Steven Goldstein, the group's chairman, to the Inquirer.

Let's rejoice that the opposing sides are finally on the same page about SOMETHING!

Leave it to the wonderful consitutionality of the separation of church and state to provide the bridge for bringing sides together to agree! Hmmmmm...we may be on to a great idea whose time has come! I wonder if it would work with Iraq?

I simply don't get it when the religious institutions don't understand this law in reverse. Hello Catholic church and other religious institutions fighting against the "civil right of marriage." Garden State Equality understands the consistent application of the separation of church and state. Proof?

The gay-marriage bill Garden State Equality is pushing (utilizing the term "marriage" to create equality vs "civil union") would not require religious leaders to officiate at ceremonies.

It's mayors and other public officials, Goldstein told the Inquirer, "who cannot have a double standard."

May our community continue to be consistent in understanding and application of the separation of church and state. And...may our community continue to be a beacon of light and a bridge for helping others understand.

We believe that is our role in today's society.

Well...that's my opinion, and everybody's got one! Let me know yours! Dotti Berry