New Hampshire Becomes Sixth State to Ratify Gay Marriage

Governor John Lynch just signed it into law. The only holdout in New England now is Rhode Island.

This obviously is a very good thing for same sex couples who wish to get married or would like the option to marry in the Granite State. But what bothers me in this puzzle-piece bill is the fact that it allows religious organizations to not observe nor participate in gay wedding ceremonies or celebrations, essentially giving these opponents signing statement powers without them having to sign anything.

There's already a simmering conflict going on between customers needing birth control and religious extremists who work behind pharmacy counters and refuse to fill such prescriptions while citing religious reasons.

Since America wasn't founded on Christian principles by many Christian men (or haven't you heard of separation of church and state?), why are we still to this day sucking up to religious groups that are mired in the 13th century? It's religious groups that were the driving force behind abominations such as Proposition 8.

As AmericaBlog reader Blueflash pointed out to me, "Well, if that turns out to be only a matter of whom they choose to marry and whatever doctrines they hold about homosexuality then that's as it should. If, that is. Separation of church and state. But to whatever extent the religious provision is unnecessary and redundant (I don't know the answer, though it would seem to be) it does bother me since it amounts to the state sending the message that religious values and gay civil rights are inherently incompatible."

Not only that, but that religious dogma will trump existing state law every time.