Same-sex marriage a civil issue | Letter to the editor

Same-sex marriage is a civil issue. Approving Referendum 74 will expand the protection of civil marriage to all families in Washington state. “Holy matrimony” (the phrase used in a recent letter to the editor) is a religious issue specifically protected by Ref. 74 allowing religious organizations and worshipers complete freedom to follow their consciences and the practices of their denominations.

October 25, 2012 12:49 pm

Same-sex marriage is a civil issue. Approving Referendum 74 will expand the protection of civil marriage to all families in Washington state. “Holy matrimony” (the phrase used in a recent letter to the editor) is a religious issue specifically protected by Ref. 74 allowing religious organizations and worshipers complete freedom to follow their consciences and the practices of their denominations.

Trying to connect civil marriage to religious matrimony clouds the issue. Approving Referendum 74 will give couples the freedom to choose civil marriage without imposing others’ practices and beliefs on them.

Patrick Bader

Renton