Sen. David Osmek: Same-Sex Marriage Is 'Slippery Slope' to Loss of Church Freedom

A local legislator's comments about gay marriage to students at his high school alma mater have drawn attention and criticism online.

State Sen. David Osmek (R-Mound) told a high school class in Glencoe, MN last week that if Minnesota law allows marriage of same-sex couples, "I'm afraid it will eventually inflict on religious institutions."

That's according to the McLeod County Chronicle:

“To me, it’s a First Amendment issue,” said Osmek, referring to the separation of church and state.

If the state endorses gay marriage, Osmek fears, it may lead down a “slippery slope” to the state forcing churches to perform and recognize gay marriage, whether gay marriage is part of a church’s theology or not. ... “The pilgrims came here for religious freedom, and we need to respect that.”

Read the full article at glencoenews.com.

Blog Reaction
The article caught the eye of Sally Jo Sorenson, who wrote at her "progressive" Bluestem Prairie blog:

One wonders if Senator David Osmek (R-Mound) has even bothered to read SF925,  his colleague's bill extending the freedom to marry. ... He must have missed this part of the senate bill. It's right at the top:

363A.26 EXEMPTION BASED ON RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION. Nothing in this chapter prohibits any religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, or any institution organized for educational purposes that is operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, from:

... (3) taking any action with respect to the provision of goods, services, facilities, or accommodations directly related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage that is in violation of its religious beliefs.

City Pages' Blotter blog saw Sorenson's post and called Osmek's comment "another example of the highly dubious logic often employed by gay marriage opponents."

The Glean at MinnPost also highlighted the exchange, including this part:

Osmek said that domestic partners are already given benefits by many businesses and corporations, and feels it best left to the private sector to create its own definition of domestic partnerships.” Sally Jo asks, “So businesses get to define two committed people's relationship? Would any married couple accept that?”

Upcoming Public Meetings
Osmek will appear with state Reps. Jerry Hertaus (R-Greenfield) and Cindy Pugh (R- Chanhassen) at three "information gathering meetings" April 13, 2013 in Mound, Chanhassen and Maple Plain.