Should Clergy Be Involved With Civil Marriage? 1 In 3 Americans Say No: Survey

[hrmjustin]

Interfaith post

Religion News Service By Cathy Lynn Grossman

(RNS) Should clergy divorce themselves from civil marriage?

Such a church-state split — already endorsed by some Catholic and evangelical leaders — is showing surprising popularity in two new surveys released Tuesday (Dec. 2) by LifeWay Research.

In a survey of 2,000 American adults, the Nashville-based Christian research company found:
* Nearly six in 10 Americans (59 percent) say marriage should not be “defined and regulated by the state.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/07/clergy-civil-marriage_n_6257774.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

[Cleita]

1. I think so.

There can be a religious ceremony, but recording the marriage should be done at the Court House and separate from any priests or ministers.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. Essentially, that's the way they do it in France

You get married in a civil ceremony at the mairie, and if you want a religious ceremony afterwards, that's up to you.

[rug]

2. Since they're separate things. I say no.

One is involved with property rights and the other is concerned with religious beliefs.