Film at 11: A Church is not a PAC. A PAC is not a Church.

[athelind]

There's a move to revoke the LDS Church's tax-exempt status for violating the section of the Federal code that limits the use of such organizations to influence legislation.

This seems entirely appropriate to me.

Do As Thou Wilt.

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Comments

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

As a minister of two denominations myself, the ceremony can be "do you want me to sign this?".

[cpxbrex.livejournal.com]

But I can't think of a single other legal document where it's OK for a religious leader to sign off on it in the same way a justice-of-the-peace, a notary public or a county clerk can.

I'm sorta surprised that people are confused about this! A marriage is a legal act and clergy are, well, they're clergy who can in the capacity of clergy form a legal contract between people. This is unique in American jurisprudence even when other matters of marriage are involved - for instance, it is irrelevant to divorce proceedings if a religious leader signs off on it or not. A religious leader can't create nor prevent a divorce. But they can create a marriage.

Now, a person might contend that marriage has as much a tradition as a religious ceremony as a legal one, which is certainly the case. But it is also, I think, one of the clearest examples of a place where there is scant separation between church and state - that the state allows a religious leader, in their capacity as religious leader, to officiate a legal matter.

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

I don't believe it's a confusion over the fact, but perhaps the wording of the comments? This was the clearest statement of it I've seen. And, as far as I know, you are correct.

But I'd point out that there are qualifications that a church (broadest sense) has to go through before it can appoint representatives to be in a position to sign those documents. They can't just be anyone off the street self-proclaiming they're qualified. The standards are not high - filing some papers - but neither are the requirements for becoming a county clerk's deputy who can do the same thing (filing some papers).

[thoughtsdriftby.livejournal.com]

In California you register with the county clerk that you will be performing marriages in their county. Being "in" a religion means nothing and no church is required, just that your signature must be registered.

Once the parties have their contract (license), you sign it, they sign, and both witnesses sign. It goes back to the county, is reviewed by a deputy of the court, and once they sign, can be numbered and filed making it all official.