Washington Homosexual Couples Marriage Licenses A Threat To Christian Churches?

Seattle, WA – Homosexual couples are rushing to get marriage licenses in Washington State. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, same sex marriage for gay couples became legal effective a minute after midnight on Thursday, December 6. The King County Recorder’s Office opened its doors to homosexuals wishing to procure a marriage license immediately. But, when these LGBT couples start to plan their weddings, Christians fear their religious freedom will be squashed.

King County, which includes Seattle, on Thursday announced it had broken its record for most marriage licenses issued in a day. According to MSN, within three hours, King County tweeted that it had issued 122 marriage licenses.

Resembling Black Friday, people were actually waiting in line in advance of the same sex marriage law taking effect. As they waited for the clock to strike midnight, volunteers serenaded and distributed roses to those waiting in line. The first homosexual couple to receive a marriage license was Jane Abbott Lighty, 77, and Pete-e Peterson, 85, of West Seattle.

King County Executive Dow Constantine was on hand to sign the first marriage license.

“Tonight you are making history,” Constantine said to the first group of couples at a special midnight ceremony. “Not only our legislators but the people of this state have said every person is entitled to equal treatment. This advances our law in the state of Washington, and brings us one step closer to that first ‘self-evident’ truth announced by our nation’s founders: That all are created equal.”

Washington State has a three day waiting period before any weddings may take place. This portion of the law applies equally to homosexual couples who rushed to the midnight issuing of marriage licenses. Seattle’s City Hall is expected to be open for five hours to allow for the homosexual weddings.

Christian organizations are already saying that these homosexual weddings will be a threat to their religious freedom. In Washington State’s law, Section 7 of the SB 6239 says the following:

“Consistent with the law against discrimination, chapter 49.60 RCW, no religious organization is required to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage unless the organization offers admission, occupancy, or use of those accommodations or facilities to the public for a fee, or offers those advantages, privileges, services, or goods to the public for sale.”

What this bill says is that, if a Christian church rents out its facilities for non-members to use for weddings, then it will be forced to allow a same-sex couple to use its facilities for a same-sex wedding ceremony. This is despite if the Christians who own the church building agree or disagree with homosexuality.

How do you think the Washington State government should treat a religious freedom situation where a homosexual couple with a new marriage license is demanding a wedding in a church where Christians object to homosexuality?