Irony of Religious Freedom Proposal? It Violates Religious Freedom: Open Letter

A Michigan lawmaker proposed a trio of bills intended to remove government from the equation and require that clergy sign off on all marriages. (Photo by Ben McCleod via Flickr/Creative Commons.)

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A southeast Michigan man has written a stinging open letter to Patch.com admonishing Rep. Todd Courser, R-Lapeer, for a trio of bills the lawmaker said would “take public officials on all levels out of the equation and free them from sanctioning marriages that go against their beliefs.”

Michael Tarasev, of Pinckney, argued Courser’s proposals – House Bills 4731, 4732 and 4733 – pose serious First Amendment issues. He suggested that if Courser believes in religious freedom, as the lawmaker professes, he should withdraw proposals drafted only to promote his same-sex marriage agenda.

Under the bills, clergy would be required to sign off on all marriages. The government would still issue marriage licenses, but municipal and judicial officials would be stripped of the authority to perform ceremonies.

Also on Patch:

• Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gay Marriage
• ‘Clever’ Legislation Would Require Clergy to Sign Off on All Marriages

In a statement last month when he introduced the bills, Courser said he stands “wholeheartedly and unequivocally for traditional marriage,” and believes “ the definition of marriage should not be within the realm of the federal government,” Courser said.

Tarasev doesn’t think the bills have a chance of passing, and were likely introduced to popularize his views on same-sex marriage. The proposals were introduced just days before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage in all 50 states, outlawing same-sex marriage bans in Michigan and 12 other states.

Tell Us:

• Should the government get out of the marriage business and, as Rep. Courser proposes, require that a member of the clergy officiate at all weddings?

Tarasev said the proposals have unintended consequences for people who do not identify with an established religion – a consequence Tarasev claims Courser acknowledged, then dismissed as irrelevant.

Tarasev’s full letter appears below.