http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/oklahoma-is-banning-atheists-from-getting-married-10110507.html
Am I surprised? Not really. As the article mentions, this is a thinly veiled attempt to make marriage a religious institution in the state so that clergy must sign off on all marriages. This way, gay people can not be approved for a marriage license.
What does surprise me about this article is the author. They claim to be an atheist but then state that they agree with the bill. They say that marriage is very intertwined with religion and secular people should reject it and come up with a new concept.
Are you serious, author? Marriage is such a religious thing that we should still get married but 'call it something else'? This is why so many people across the country are fighting.
Marriage is not a religious institution. It never was. It has been around far longer than any religion. And, in this country, marriage is a government institution. It's a legal contract between two consenting adults that grants certain state and government privileges. Tax breaks, insurance, custodial rights, legal privilege, etc. These all have nothing to do with religion. Marriage may mean different things to different people but, for all intents and purposes, a marriage in the US is a government entity.
I can't see this bill passing in Oklahoma. It's too ludicrous. Then again....it's Oklahoma.
