Internet church sues Tennessee over law banning weddings by online-ordained ministers
A Seattle-based online church is suing the state of Tennessee over a new law that bars online-ordained ministers from performing weddings.
Universal Life Church Ministries filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Attorneys for Universal Life want a restraining order barring the law from going in effect until the court case is settled.
The law, which states that "persons receiving online ordinations may not solemnize the rite of matrimony" was to go into effect July 1. But Chief District Judge Waverly Crenshaw scheduled a July 3 hearing in Nashville on the restraining order requested by ULCM attorneys. That means the law won't take effect on July 1, pending the judge's decision.
ULCM describes itself as a "non-denominational, non-profit religious organization famous worldwide for its provision of free, legal ordinations to its vast membership over the internet." It has ordained more than 20 million people, including singer-actress Lady Gaga, talk show host Stephen Colbert and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Read more: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2019/06/26/church-sues-tennessee-ban-weddings-online-ordained-ministers/1570607001/
(Knoxville News Sentinel)
