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--- Thomas Swift <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> has favored us with an article about Black clergymens' advocacy of an amendment to the Georgia constitution to ban gay marriages. In this article, Bishop William Shields of Hopewell Baptist Church is quoted as saying "... gay marriage is `a threat to who we are and what we stand for. ... I'm not here tonight to discriminate against anyone. I'm here to stand on the word of God." Doesn't it bother Tom that the Bible is being used as the basis for this amendment? Isn't the separation of church and state important anymore? But even on the clergymens' own terms, where in the Bible does it say that gay couples shouldn't have the benefit of insurance for their partners, rights of inheritance, or the protection of divorce laws? No-0ne is asking the clergy to sanctify marriages if they believe it's wrong to do so. Let's stop confusing civil and religous marriage. And let's stop allowing religion to dictate our civil arrangements. Just as with the concealed carry issue, we have a powerful group in this state who would love to see Minnesota look to places like Georgia and Alabama for models of how to govern. That's a startling reversal from the days when other states looked to Minnesota as a model. Charlie Swope Ward 1 _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
