A Critical Hour Snapshots from the Reception for Mary Lou and Stan Olson Click here for a printable version in Adobe Acrobat format. It is about the tension in the home of a California State Senator where a heterosexual father and his gay son publicly live out their family conflict.
Out confusion is understandable.
We live in a nation with one of its governing thoughts being the separation of church and state. Many other nations practice a clear separation when two people seek to be married. There is a civil ceremony that has nothing to do with churches or clergy. And if a blessing of the union is sought then a religious ceremony takes place in the holy place of choice. In our country, contrary to our stated policy, the pastor, priest or rabbi acts as both a servant of the state and as a religious leader in performing a marriage rite that is both legally and religiously binding.