Reply #21: If you can fix the legal stuff, I think it is all about the language, really. [View All]

[davsand]

There is a fundamental legal difference between the rights "conferred' with a "marriage" and those of a "civil union" as it stands today. The stuff that can be fixed by Federal laws (like IRS code) needs to be corrected ASAP. I am not sure where the survivorship issues and medical power of attorney issues rest--dunno if that is at state or federal level--but those also are at issue right now.

A larger and overreaching issue we have got to sort out for ourselves is the emotional question of "marriage" -v- "civil union." If the churches' individual denominations do not want to recognize or celebrate same sex couples, there really IS no mechanism to mandate that they do.

An even deeper question to ponder, is do we, as a nation, want to even HAVE a discussion about church policies as they relate to law? Much as I abhor the refusal to celebrate all equally, I honestly do not think our government has any role in this beyond stepping up to extend and protect the governmentally granted rights that marriage grants currently.

I just don't think you can legislate certain stuff.


Laura