Rumors of religious intrusion untrue

LETTERS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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I hear that there is a rumor being spread that if referendum 71 passes, my synagogue or church will be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies. That's not true - not even remotely possible.

First of all, the referendum isn't about marriage, it's about domestic partnership and there's no religious ceremony that goes with becoming domestic partners. It is a civil act, just like getting a business license. Thousands of couples have already registered without asking a church or synagogue to bless their partnership.

Furthermore, religious institutions decide what ceremonies they perform and for whom. There's nothing in the referendum that would tell my church or my synagogue what to do. Some of us already choose not to perform marriages for divorced people or interfaith couples or those we feel aren't ready for marriage. So even if same-sex marriage were someday to become legal in Washington, we would still decide what ceremonies we will perform. We would not lose this right.