Bush Backs Banns on Gay Marriage
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Speaking in front of a largely sympathetic crowd of Christian fundamentalists, Bush announced today that he is in favor a constitutional amendment requiring banns on gay marriages.
"We need to protect the sanctity of marriage and if this legislation will accomplish that task, I am all for it," he said at the Robert Welch, Jr. University in Selma, Alabama. "Laura and I had banns when we were getting married and I think they should apply to everyone. Banns on gay marriage are good for the country. It's a matter of equal justice," he added.
Legislation Requires Banns for Gay Marriages
The proposal before the US Senate would require a public proclamation of a proposed marriage, "the banns", at least three Sundays in advance in a public square. This would bring US law into accordance with Catholic doctrine according to Bishop Cauldron. The United States has never recognized banns for gay marriages in the past.
Members of the "Coalition of the Willing" all have banns. For example, in the province of Ontario, the publication of banns remains a legal alternative to seeking a marriage license. A same-sex couple married this way at the Metropolitan Community Church 1999. In England, banns have been required since 1753.
Little Chance of Passing
Few experts give the Constitutional amendment much of a chance of passing. With Congress distracted by the war in Iraq and the President's support at record lows, there is little enthusiasm to pass legislation that has such widespread support. Groups as diverse as the John Birch Society, the American Enterprise Institute, the Project for the New American Society and the Federalist Society all back banns on gay marriage.
Travesty of Our Times
With such little interest, it is surprising that the President has even brought it up. "We'd think that he would go after a more controversial issue like school lunches," said Congressman Frank Barney (D-Ma). "It really is the travesty of our times that this measure will not pass. We need to strengthen the links between religion and the constitution and this is a perfect opportunity," he added.
Congressman Barney (D-MA) has been a staunch supporter of attempts to bridge the chasm between church and state. Last year he introduced legislation making Fridays meatless in federally funded school lunch programs. He also introduced legislation amending the No Child Left Behind Act to make Baptism mandatory in second grade. Both narrowly escaped passage.
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