I think church and state should remain entirely separate at all costs, and that the decision of religious marriage should be of each faith to debate and decide free of political influence.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches.
Religious institutions should have religious freedom on this issue. No church or minister should ever have to conduct a marriage that is inconsistent with their religious beliefs. But I think as a civil institution, this issue's time has come and we need to move forward.
We have this idea in our minds that there's this separation of church and state in America, which I think is a good thing. And we extend that to our politics - not just church and state, but it's also there's a separation of religion and politics. But of course there isn't.
Quite often you hear people say, 'What about separation of church and state?' There is no such thing.
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
Marriage should be viewed as an institution ordained by God and should be out of the control of the state.
If marriage really is a sacred institution, then why is the government controlling it, especially in a nation that affirms separation of church and state?
Each of us has the choice to attend the church we want to, or none at all. Separation of church and state allows for religions to have their own set of rules as to whom they will accept and who they won't, and the practices they support and the ones they don't. They will continue to be able to do so.
I do believe in the separation of church and state. But I don't think separation of church and state means you have to be free from your faith.
I don't believe there is a separation of church and state. I think the Constitution is very clear. The only separation is that there will not be a government church.