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Colo. County Official Has No Right To Post Religious Sign Attacking Marriage Equality At Government Office, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Says Elbert County Clerk Is Clearly Trying To Express Disapproval Of Same-Sex Couples

Dec 10, 2015

Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder must remove a poster with a biblical passage disparaging the marriages of same-sex couples from his government office, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
 
Schroeder’s office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, and it’s clear that the clerk put up the poster to express disapproval of same-sex unions, the organization asserts.
 
The poster depicts an image of a bride and a groom accompanied by a verse from the first Book of Corinthians that reads, “…each man should have his own wif

Texas Judge Has No Right To Compel Man To Write Bible Verses And Get Married As Alternative To Jail, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Sends Letter Warning Smith County Jurist To Stop Mixing Religion And Law

Aug 10, 2015

Smith County, Texas, Judge Randall Lee Rogers overstepped his bounds when he ordered a man charged with assault to write Bible verses and marry his girlfriend as an alternative to jail, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Several media outlets have reported that Rogers ordered Josten Bundy to write Bible verses as a condition of his probation. Bundy was on trial for assaulting his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend.
It was also reported that Rogers ordered Bundy to marry the girlfriend, 19-year-old Elizabeth Jaynes. Under duress, the couple did marry.

Ohio Judge Does Not Have ‘Religious Freedom’ Right To Refuse Service To Same-Sex Couples, Says Americans United

Toledo Officials Must Facilitate Marriages For All Qualified Couples, Church-State Watchdog Says

Jul 9, 2015

A Toledo, Ohio, judge who refused to serve a same-sex couple violated that couple’s constitutional rights, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

In a letter sent today, Americans United explained that government employees responsible for performing duties related to marriage are not permitted to serve opposite-sex couples exclusively.

Traditional Failures: Fundamentalist View Of Marriage Still Out Of Touch

Mar 11, 2015 by Sarah E. Jones in Wall of Separation

A new poll shows that support for marriage equality is at an all-time high: It’s at 59 percent, in fact.  The U.S. Supreme Court is going to take the matter up next month, and many feel that no matter what the high court says, same-sex marriage is inevitable.

The Other Marriage Debate: Who Gets To Perform The Ceremonies?

Jul 28, 2014 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

As the debate over same-sex marriage moves through the courts, a quieter legal challenge is also under way: Who should have the legal right to perform marriage ceremonies?

In some states, it can be difficult to legally get a wholly secular official to perform your marriage ceremony. Judges are often available, but they may be able to officiate at marriages only during limited hours. For people who want to celebrate with their family and friends on a weekend, a judge may not be an option.

Family Feuds: Societal Changes Continue To Irk Religious Right

May 27, 2011 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

I have what the Religious Right calls a “traditional family.” My wife and I have been married for nearly 20 years and have two children. The four of us live (along with two cats) in a house in the suburbs. From a demographic point of view, we couldn’t be less interesting.

But I’m keenly aware that not all families are like mine – and it doesn’t take more than a walk around my neighborhood to prove that.

Props On Prop. 8 Decision: In His Marriage Ruling, Judge Properly Divorced Church And State

Aug 5, 2010 by Sandhya Bathija in Wall of Separation

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker gave us an excellent tutorial on why the debate over marriage rights for same-sex couples is as much about church-state separation as it is about equality for all Americans.

In his decision striking down Proposition 8 -- California’s constitutional ban on gay marriage -- he explained that our laws, including those governing marriage, cannot be based solely on private moral or religious beliefs – they must also have a secular purpose.

Snow Job: Religious Right Pastor Has No Truck With D.C. Same-Sex Marriage Law

Dec 23, 2009 by Sandhya Bathija in Wall of Separation

Over the weekend, Washington was slammed by a treacherous snowstorm that dumped two feet of snow in some areas.

Since I grew up in Ohio and went to college in Syracuse, N.Y., the snow didn't really bother me much. But for others here, the blizzard was a difficult experience.

Unholy Alliance: Marriage Laws Should Separate Church And State

Apr 9, 2009 by Sandhya Bathija in Wall of Separation

Spring seems to finally be making an appearance here in Washington, D.C.   Besides the flowers, warmer temperatures and upbeat moods, one other thing spring brings is the start of the wedding season.

I spent four days in Cleveland last week celebrating the wedding of a close friend. She had a Hindu ceremony with all the bells and whistles — from the groom arriving on a horse, to henna on her hands, to guests wearing colorful saris.