Marriage Rights and Religious Exemptions in america

Marriage Rights and Religious Exemptions in america

Abstract and Keywords

This article examines the numerous religious exemptions—solemnization exemptions, religious-organization exemptions, commercial exemptions, Religious Freedom Restoration Act exemptions, the ministerial-exception exemption, and tax exemptions—that are currently in effect or proposed for American marriage laws after providing background on the law of marriage in the United States. Although these exemptions usually are proposed within the title of spiritual freedom, throughout the long term their number, range, and breadth threaten the neutrality that is religious the initial Amendment regarding the U.S. Constitution calls for. Solemnization exemptions control which clergy and which federal federal government officials are permitted by states to execute marriages. Read more