Hope to God for nothing less than a gay marriage as a sacrament

[elshiva]

and/or church service. Gay love at it's best, like straight love is sacramental and holy. Should not expect second class citizenship in church or society. I am willing to wait, but I would love to see this one day!

[RevCheesehead]

1. I like your "Jesus on a pogo stick"

Oh, yeah, and I agree with what you said re: gay marriage. Although in my denomination, marriage is not considered a sacrament.

[elshiva]

2. Thanks! If it is not a sacrament there should be some ceremony

as with the straight people... Just preaching to the converted though...
;)

[regnaD kciN]

3. I have little complaint with that...

...however, ironically, it may be first up to the state to set guidlines for civil marriage and/or unions for same-sex couples, since most mainstream denominations have something in their canons or bylaws stating that only marriages capable of being legal can be celebrated in a liturgical service.

[elshiva]

4. Good point, but I was just thinking of the religious part of it!

[FreedomAngel82]

5. I think what matters

is being equal in the eyes of the law. It's not about religion. It's about being equal to the government.

[elshiva]

7. If you are a religious gay person it is about religion, but

I do think if the law is more equal more churches will be equal, but not necessarily...

[cally]

6. Don't some churches do this?

In my church, there are several married couples that had a religious ceremony. I didn't attend the service so I just assumed it was the same as any other religious marriage except it wasn't recognized by the state.

Back to your point, I completely agree. We have to fight for legal rights but also fight for religious services. I think we will see religious marriages that are much more common before we see widespread legal unions/marriages among same sex partners. It will help to separate the idea of a religious union and a legal one.

[Siyahamba]

8. United Church of Christ

Many congregations used to hold same-sex "commitment ceremonies" but now they are considered full-fledged marriages, at least within the UCC.