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The path to the "equality altar" is strewn with ghosts of the past, but the mighty state with all the kings men and all the kings horses is clearing the way.
Cameron Satterfield, spokesman for King County says of the revisions, "We're working hot and heavy on it."
In an environment where men are "wives" and women are "husbands," one would expect some confusion when you redefine the societal norm of more than 5000 years.
The most pressing issue seems to be how to revise the marriage certificate. What to call the people getting married. All people who will get married.
Thinking about this, I glanced at my wife and my marriage license from Yakima County. Much simpler times.
The newly revised marriage law in Washington becomes legal this Thursday, December 6. Homosexuals can begin getting "married" on Sunday.
Here's what the state is doing with the certificate, some of the details regarding their clearing a path to the altar and what I believe will be the short term impact of this confusion.
Originally, the state had planned to go with "Spouse A" and "Spouse B," however, after "100 comments," Secretary of Health Mary Selecky says she is officially going with the options of "bride," "groom" and "spouse".
She is also altering the parental choices to "parent," "mother" or "father."
There's been a big to-do in the press last week as to whether the certificates would be ready by Thursday.
They will be. Satterfield, who is working "hot and heavy" says if they can't get the computer systems revised they will print hard copies for homosexual couples. "We'll do it the old fashioned way," he says.
The first link above includes a copy of the revised certificate.
But there is a bigger issue at play in all this. One every person of faith and conservative should be aware of.
Lornett Turnbull points out in the Seattle Times that there are many, many complex issues surfacing as marriage is redefined, involving previous homosexual relationships---ex partners, previous "marriages," foreign "marriages," ect.---other arrangements where people are legally bound together.
With the hyper commitment of Washington State government to redefining marriage, I'm sure they will sort it all out---regardless of the monetary cost.
Here is a point worthy of our attention:
The Times says, "No single government department is equipped to answer all the questions. Attorneys and legal groups that have worked with same-sex couples and gay issues are fielding many of the calls, but even they at times are stumbling over the ambiguities in the law."
Ambiguities.
Prediction:
Washington and other states that have legalized same-sex "marriage" will begin a mantra of unfairness based on ambiguities, calling on the federal government to do something about it.
President Obama, liberated to his post election "flexibility" and committed to abolishing the federal DOMA and advancing the homosexual agenda, will help to clarify. I don't know the tack he will take, but watch; his administration will get involved to help clarify matters and in doing so will discover that it is necessary for the federal government to insert itself in order to help with the matter of clarification.
This process will have deep and damaging impact on every thing related to parental rights and family.
The Telegraph is reporting this morning that the Church of England issued a statement on this very issue. They are saying, "Allowing same-sex couples to marry will create few new rights for homosexuals, but will spread confusion for the rest of society as the definition of marriage will have to change everyone."
As the Washington State Legislature re-convenes in January, Senator Ed Murray, Jamie Pederson and fellow homosexual advocates will resume their incremental legislative destruction on values that a vast majority of citizens hold, by "clarifying" and bringing into "compliance" all those pesky little laws that are not in harmony with their agenda.
The faith community must be prepared to respond. And we will. God willing.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.