I have a HUGE issue with this
 

San Diego County plans to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex marriages but will not force employees to perform the ceremonies if they cite religious or moral objections.
County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Greg Smith, whose office issues marriage licenses, said he has informed the roughly 115 employees deputized to conduct ceremonies to tell him if they object to same-sex marriages.



AdvertisementSmith said he needs to know if he'll have to juggle employees around or train more to handle what could be thousands of gay couples arriving at his office after the court's ruling takes effect next month. He also said it would be unfair for any couple to have a person who objects to their marriage performing their ceremony.
“I'm trying to strike a balance. I want to show dignity and respect to my staff and equally I want to show dignity and respect to the couples who want to get married,” Smith said.

He added, “Bottom line is we're going to get the job done and we're going to have the resources to do it.”

It's still unclear when same-sex marriages will become official. The court ruling goes into effect June 16, but the state Office of Vital Records needs to develop rules, forms and procedures for those marriages, Smith said.

Smith said he has a conference call tomorrow with the office and county clerks statewide. He hopes to have a better idea of when he can begin issuing licenses then.

County Counsel John Sansone has advised Smith to wait until the state gives direction before issuing licenses. He said the county will comply with the court ruling, it's just a matter of when it can start.

Sansone also said employees cannot simply object to performing same-sex ceremonies. They must give a legitimate religious or moral reason for refusing, he said.

Doesn't this seem a bit odd to you, Where would the seperation of Church and State be in this case? Isn't it their job to comply with CA laws?

[quote=blondboinsd]San Diego County plans to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex marriages but will not force employees to perform the ceremonies if they cite religious or moral objections.
County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Greg Smith, whose office issues marriage licenses, said he has informed the roughly 115 employees deputized to conduct ceremonies to tell him if they object to same-sex marriages.

/quote]

He's talking about preforming the ceremonies not handing out licenses, so yes, your are the only one.

Kind of a catch 22, since it's required (Ceramony) for a license to be valid, additionally, I feel this seems like a violation of seperation of Church and State, I'm all for religious protection but if you can't perform your job due to your beliefs, I don't believe you should have an "opt out" Just my 2 cents.

I'm sure there will be those willing to take your money and perform the ceremony. Don't worry.


But I also agree that people should not be forced to complete a ceremony they don't agree with.

It is a catch 22, but it's everyone's right not to do something at their place of employment they don't agree with, I think he's right in doing this before something worse happens. Like having 100s of gay couples being lectured by the person that was marrying them.. It's supposed to be a happy moment, why would you want someone with a bad attitude who may rush you just to get you out of their site etc etc..

Its more of a preventative measure if you ask me, for both sides. He's avoiding conflict. I understand your objection somewhat.. but he is trying to get others trained to be able to do the job that do not object, so the 2 people involved in the union have a good experience.

Well you can't force people to commit a religious ceremony with something that defies their religion. Sometime liberals can take a chunk out of their own rear.

I hear exactly what your saying, I guess I have the corporate America mentality, that it's your job, do it, if you can't perform it you can be replaced

Essentially, I'd agree.

Agree and Disagree.

Yes, Marriage can be a religious ceremony. But it is not exclusively a religious ceremony. It is also a state recognized contract between two people.

Like it or not, as much value as we want to put on marriage as it pertains to being this RELIGIOUS affair, it is EQUALLY a business contract.

If it were not a business contract, then there would be no state recognized divorce, alimony, prenuptial agreements, etc.

So my question is, if an official who is against the religious idea of gay marriage is allowed to, opt out. Then what is to keep a judge from opting out of performing a gay divorce?

And also, the officials who handle the marriage, are not the officials who handle the religious part. That would be a priest, rabbi, etc. who does the religious ceremony, which is different than what happens in city hall.

True.. but all those things you mentioned only becaue valid recently. The concept of marriage has been here since the "beginning" - all the fall outs of marriage only started when you were entitled something during a "divorce"

Question - when they marry you in court/city hall - do they use a bible? I actually got married in city hall first, then 8 mths later in Church to make it "official" in our eyes. I believe they used a bible in city hall.