Right to "civil marriage"

The new SF Greek Orthodox metropolitan believes
that same-sex couples
"should have the benefits and civil rights of the state",
tho his church won't sanctify same-sex unions sacramentally.
"But civil marriage, in the spirit of American democracy,
they have the right to ask for that," says Gerasimos Michaleas,
speaking to Chronicle religion writer Don Lattin.

His moderate position contrasts vividly with those of
homophobic Mormon and U.S. Roman Catholic leaders,
who have actively intervened
in California state elections
to fight against equal civil-marriage rights.

-- SUN

[For details, please see:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/04/02/BAG2TC1OMD1.DTL ]


.......

PS--

A suggestion for marriage-equality spokes-persons:
*** Always speak of seeking "civil marriage,"
not "marriage".***

This may avoid confusing voters who hear the word "marriage"
and then automatically think of "religious mariage",
also known as "the sacrament of holy matrimony."

The state cannot give out sacraments,
nor are we asking the state to do so.
The state can ONLY give (or deny) a CIVIL relationship.

The state of California isn't a church
-- and thank God for separation!
Whenever governments and religions get together,
each is corrupted.