If gay marriage were legalised.....

**Shanaynay** · 07-04-2011 21:05

I am curious.

If gay marriage were legalised, and at the same time, discrimination against gay marriage was to become ILLEGAL......

Would churches have to conduct gay marriages if the couple requested them to?

Or is religion exempt from the law somehow?

**zombiekitty** · 07-04-2011 21:08

As far as I know, churches can refuse to marry any couple already so I guess that wouldn't exclude gay couples.

**Pinkzy** · 07-04-2011 21:13

Good question, Phin

.

I'd like to think churches would not refuse to marry a gay couple but I have a feeling a lot probably would

**peanutmonkey** · 07-04-2011 21:15

Yes I'm pretty sure churches can turn anyone away of they want...

I wanted to get married in a catholic church but as DH is not religious and hasn't been baptised they requested he do a course before the wedding and that we would also have to do a couples counseling course...

DH refused, so the church refused to marry us. They also wouldn't let me christen my children there as at least one of the godparents have to be catholic and our childrens god parents are either non religious or church of England.

So I'm sure if they wanted to, they would find a reason.

**Shanaynay** · 07-04-2011 21:15

As far as I know, churches can refuse to marry any couple already so I guess that wouldn't exclude gay couples.

I know they can now - but, if discrimination of marrying couples based on their genders were made ILLEGAL - then would they? Could they?

**iMischa** · 07-04-2011 21:25

i dont know why any homosexual couple would want to be married in a place where their very sexual/love preference is considered a sin, and not accepted.

but to answer the q) yeh religious belief can get people out of alot of things. this would be no different.

**Busy Bee** · 07-04-2011 21:27

Yes they could. I think it is wrong but they have their beliefs that they are allowed to withhold. So it would have to be non denominational or a civil wedding.

**Shanaynay** · 07-04-2011 21:28

There are religious homosexuals around for sure

They might want to be married in a 'house of god'? Or maybe it's just a really nice church and the photographs would look awesome so they want it there

**iMischa** · 07-04-2011 21:31

blows my mind, perhaps they decide to believe that god doesnt descriminate?

**bellalika** · 07-04-2011 21:33

I think they still can. They can turn people away if the priest marrying thinks it isn't in the best interest of both parties. For example, they are doing so under duress, one of them are being abused, incest etc. I'm sure if a priest were truly against it they would find an "out". Doubt our local priest would. He's the most liberal priest I've ever met and has even said that it is wonderful that "people find love in the most peculiar of places."