Is polygamy a protected religious right?

[Massive Lee]

^^^Correct. It was in the letter to the Danbury Baptists.

"Separation of Church and State - The Metaphor and the Constitution
"Separation of church and state" is a common metaphor that is well recognized. Equally well recognized is the metaphorical meaning of the church staying out of the state's business and the state staying out of the church's business. Because of the very common usage of the "separation of church and state phrase," most people incorrectly think the phrase is in the constitution. The phrase "wall of separation between the church and the state" was originally coined by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists on January 1, 1802. His purpose in this letter was to assuage the fears of the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists, and so he told them that this wall had been erected to protect them. The metaphor was used exclusively to keep the state out of the church's business, not to keep the church out of the state's business. "

[z31maniac]

Conflicts between religion and law arise simply because the two are and always have been intermingled. Prime example, marriage. A religious institution, yet governed by laws. Laws that give way to things like the gay marriage issue. You gotta ask yourself, "why do I have to obtain a license to get married in a church?" It's constitutional rights vs. religious rights, and they often contradict themselves. True separation of Church and State does not exist.

uhhhhh, just so you know, you don't HAVE to be married at a church.

Marriage is a LEGAL arrangement with religious foundations. But for all intents and purposes the church/state aspects are separated.

You make some good points in general, but marriage is a bad example of your argument.

[mrsleeve]

^^^Correct. It was in the letter to the Danbury Baptists.

"Separation of Church and State - The Metaphor and the Constitution
"Separation of church and state" is a common metaphor that is well recognized. Equally well recognized is the metaphorical meaning of the church staying out of the state's business and the state staying out of the church's business. Because of the very common usage of the "separation of church and state phrase," most people incorrectly think the phrase is in the constitution. The phrase "wall of separation between the church and the state" was originally coined by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists on January 1, 1802. His purpose in this letter was to assuage the fears of the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists, and so he told them that this wall had been erected to protect them. The metaphor was used exclusively to keep the state out of the church's business, not to keep the church out of the state's business. "

Ever hear of a Common law marriage?????? you can be married and never set foot into a Church or a Court house. get a license or have a party or ceremony Like Z said marriage is bad example

Also the idea of separation is that the state can not endorse one religion over another. Not that either cant have any influence over the other

[Ryann]

Seems like you guys are overlooking the key point in my post. The fact that you have to obtain a marriage license to be married AT ALL, whether in a church or not, is absurd from the perspective of "separation of church and state" because marriage is a religious institution. I think marriage is the best example of the State meddling in religious affairs.

[mrsleeve]

Seems like you guys are overlooking the key point in my post. The fact that you have to obtain a marriage license to be married AT ALL, whether in a church or not, is absurd from the perspective of "separation of church and state" because marriage is a religious institution. I think marriage is the best example of the State meddling in religious affairs.

Again you dont have to have the state or the Church to get married, and be in a legally binding marriage, No license no ceremony, no judge NO NOTHING Look up common law.

While not recognized in all states initially , it is recognized if you were a resident of a state that dose recognize them when you entered into to it.

[Ryann]

Doesn't exist in Oregon. Shauna and I HAD to pay for and obtain a license from the State to be legally married.

[mrsleeve]

Doesn't exist in Oregon. Shauna and I HAD to pay for and obtain a license from the State to be legally married.

but it dose in the deep south, MT ID OK and several others

[joshh]

In the shit hole of LA you have to get a blood test before you could get your marriage license. At least that's the way it was in the 90's. Talk about over reaching.

[ldsbeaker]

^^ Same thing in Mass.
We got married in MD instead. In a church.