Why don't Virginian politicians and religious leaders understand the US Constitution (homosexuality, America)

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

Churches fight Senate bill
They warn measure is government meddling in affairs of churches

BY JEFF E. SCHAPIRO
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Feb 2, 2005

Religious leaders are battling Virginia legislation that could allow parishioners who bolt in protest over the ordination of gays to seize church property to set up independent congregations.

The issue is far broader than that of homosexuality in the church - it would allow a state government to "meddle" in the affairs of a church.

The Rt. Rev. David Colin Jones, who as bishop suffragan is the No. 2 official of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, said the legislation is unconstitutional because it represents government meddling in church affairs.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, attacked the Virginia proposal in a letter to state senators.

The bill, he said, "would strike at the First Amendment's right to the free exercise of religion by allowing the government to regulate how a religious group can divide itself and distribute its property."

Representatives of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the 18-faith Virginia Council of Churches as well as the Episcopal and United Methodist churches, told reporters that hierarchical Christian faiths must retain control of church assets should a division occur.

"The patrons are trying to trump church law," said the Rev. C. Douglas Smith, a lobbyist for the interfaith center. "It raises the specter of the constitution involving itself in the polity of church."

It is time that the market place decide whether separatists are right not the law. If a church can't support itself, it says that they may be wrong in the eyes of the faithful and perhaps God himself.

[Ronald]

Politicians and the Church alike want it both ways, just don't gore My ox!
Here, here, pah good post!