Alabama GOP proposes bill to let judges opt out of marrying gay couples — and Jews and Muslims too!

[TexasTowelie]

Alabama is in turmoil this week over conflicting rulings on the state’s same-sex marriage ban, but Republicans’ last-ditch efforts to outlaw marriage equality are getting truly desperate.

This week, GOP State Rep. Jim Hill proposed a measure that would allow judges and religious leaders not only to opt out of performing marriages that defy their religious beliefs, but also to choose not to recognize them — for the sake of “religious liberty.”

The bill, known as the Freedom of Religion in Marriage Protection Act, has the potential to reach far beyond the LGBT community and same-sex couples who wish to marry, and could also pave the way for probate judges not to grant marriage licenses (or divorces) to couples of different religious backgrounds. In one example, Alabama ACLU executive director Susan Watson told The Guardian “a Catholic judge could refuse to marry a Hindu, Muslim or Jewish couple” under the proposed law.

“We probably haven’t even uncovered all … the unintended consequences of this bill,” ​ Watson​ said. “Well, I don’t know if they’re unintended.”

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2015/03/05/alabama_gop_proposes_bill_to_allow_judges_to_opt_out_of_marrying_gay_people_and_jews_and_muslims_too/

[elleng]

1. They tried to opt out of the Union once, and failed.

Too damn bad!

[Ex Lurker]

5. They're gonna opt themselves out of the global economy if they aren't careful

Companies like Mercedes Benz will think twice about locating another plant in Alabama.

[elleng]

6. I hope to heck you're right,

but might take too long.

[Oubaas]

2. My Head Hurts...

So, once they've legally stopped Gay people, Jews, and Muslims from marrying the people that they love, what do you suppose will be next?

I'm a little worried at the personal level here. My wife is originally from another country and continent, and what with the subtle remarks that some of my fellow Americans slip into conversation about "foreigners" that they think that I don't notice in the cloak of humor in which they come wrapped (I call them "shit-filled Twinkies&quot , I could imagine the same people objecting to me being married to a "foreign" woman.

I mean, come on! I'm a disabled vet! Where's my patriotism? How dare I fall in love with a gosh darn foreigner? She may look like us, but as soon as she speaks, you can tell she's not from here!

Maybe we shouldn't tell people who to love and who they can marry. Maybe we should just be glad that they love each other instead of them shooting at each other. But what do I know? I'm just an old disabled veteran.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. THis is sure to leave some people quite conflicted.

I think the ALCU's use of the "Catholic judge" is a bit funny though. With the exception of Louisiana, Catholics aren't much liked in the deep South either.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Proceed, dumbshit. nt

[Voice for Peace]

7. Aren't they already allowed to opt out?

Seems I've heard countless tales over the years of priests,
or other religious dudes, refusing to marry somebody or other
for some religious reason..? OK I am confusing right wing
judges with religious dudes. my bad.

[Adrahil]

8. Easy mistake to make n/t

[tanyev]

9. Are these same judges quizzing heterosexual couples as to whether they have had premarital sex?

Or whether their relationship began by being unfaithful to an existing partner? Let's be consistent here, Christo-fascists.