Smart Talk: Same-sex marriage and religion

 

 

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, June 30, 2015:

The U.S. Supreme Court decision last week that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states has raised some questions related to religion.

Some religions and denominations embraced the ruling while others didn’t.  Those that didn’t support the decision claimed their First Amendment freedom of religion rights were being superseded when the majority of the justices on the court cited equal protection under the law as the basis for their ruling.

Justice Anthony Kennedy raised the issue in the majority opinion when he wrote First Amendment protections are in place for religious objectors, who “may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned.”

But in his dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts predicted a battle down the line between religious freedom and same-sex marriage.

“There is little doubt that these and similar questions will soon be before this court,” Roberts said.

Tuesday’s Smart Talk focuses on same-sex marriage and religion with Father Paul Schenk of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and Rev. David Mellott, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean at Lancaster Theological Seminary.