US Clergy face criminal charges for conducting same-sex weddings

[mrph]

From the BBC: two New York ministers to be prosecuted for conducting same-sex weddings.

Words fail me. Whatever the letter of the law (which I don't happen to agree with), is it really in the public interest to spend time and money prosecuting members of the clergy for this?

Comments

[tenuous.livejournal.com]

Possibly it is in the medium term - especially if an unfavourable verdict is returned.

But I agree, there are immeasureably more sensible things for everyone to be doing.

[paulw.livejournal.com]

Could be worse. They could be whisked off to Camp Delta and not have their day in court! If that happened they wouldn't be able to show what complete arses the prosecutors are.

Its probably just another front for the War on Terror *Wave Flag*

[mrph.livejournal.com]

Well, some parts of the world certainly seem Terrified by the prospect. I suppose that'd be enough evidence for Bush to justify their inclusion...

[miss-blu.livejournal.com]

Utterly, utterly pathetic. Waste of time and money is only the first thing I can think of...gnnnggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!

[giolla.livejournal.com]

Of course it's worth it, if they didn't civilisation as they know it would collapse.

Court Challenge

[chron-job.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with the New York state constitution, but I had kinda assumed that part of the reason for the timing of the more recent marriages was to create a test case in order to challenge the law in court. If the state never enforced the silly law, opponents could never challenge it, and a higher court would never have an opportunity to throw it out (fingers crossed!)

Though maybe not in this minister's case, since she was performing such ceremonies before it got much press.