James cites this post from Fr John (a blogger new to me).
Brothers and sisters, I will make here a prediction. (It's not prophecy.) We are going to lose on this issue. It will become strictly a civil rights issue; and as such, without moral factors being permitted, as a civil rights issue, it will be impossible to stop the legalization of same-sex marriages. I wish I was wrong... But we'd better start now to prepare for the next step in the process: What will happen to the Church as we refuse to perform such "unions" on the basis of our Christian beliefs. Someone -- the classic formulation of "Adam and Steve" -- will request that I join them in marriage. I will refuse, citing our Christian beliefs; and the fact that they may obtain what they desire through a civil ceremony notwithstanding, they will sue, claiming discrimination. Because it is now a civil rights issue, and an action allowable by law, the Church will lose. We will lose our tax exemptions, because our continuing to speak against same-sex marriages will be defined as political action; and then as "hate speech" inciting the rejection of a certain "minority" whose rights must be protected by the power of the state. Any priests who don't "get the message" will risk time in prison for "hate crimes." Civil and criminal damages will result in the loss of church properties and other assets, to settle judgments by sale, or by outright confiscation. I don't want this to happen; but I think it is inevitable...This prediction has come up here, in the pages of this blog as well.
Pray to persevere to the end. I'm a little weak there, myself, although I feel, for some time as if we are waiting for the other shoe to fall.
It is important to note the current religious war - which can not be called such, but is.
The various Gov'ts are very clear in their press: there is a form of Islam that we like. Yet there is also a form of Islam that is not compatible with Western Civilization. That second form must be destroyed. I've no intention of saying it is wrong for the gov't to be opposed to terror or militancy. But that opposition is, unstated, based on religion and a choice between a religion we like and one we don't.
I note that St Paul offers that God will give an immoral people over to even more immorality. Pray to persevere to the end.
Now, given legal backing, how many of the Liberal denominations will cave? How many conservative ones will stand? How many of the middle of the road ones will be divided?
Lord, have mercy on us!