I am neither a proponent nor an opponent of same-sex marriage. I am, however, strongly committed to the principle of separation of church and state. Therefore, I will vote yes on Question 6.
The Maryland legislative body passed and the governor signed a bill that would allow same sex-couples a civil union. In very clear and strong language this bill allows for the separation of any church or religion from having to preform a marriage or civil union of any nature that it does not approve.
Ultimately, a group of faith based organizations started a petition drive to place the bill on the ballot. They spent $160,000 dollars in this pursuit.
Churches are tax exempt. The monies donated to churches are a tax write off. I question the constitutionality of churches and faith based groups becoming political action committees.
They use the statement “Don’t redefine marriage.” There is nothing about this law that forces them to change any of their practices regarding marriage.
Another slogan, “Save Marriage”: I wonder how the inclusion of others in civil unions is going to destroy marriage.
All marriages or civil unions are first and foremost a legal contract between two consenting parties that are not otherwise prohibited from entering into such a union.
Not all marriages involve a religious ceremony. The state defines the legal aspects of marriage. Each church or religion is free to establish its guiding principles and requirements for those that choose to marry within the church.
I have read with great interest the letters concerning Question 6.
It is my observation those letters supporting Question 6 have generally been positive, respectful and engaging.
Those opposed, have been negative, judgemental and sadly, in some cases (hateful) disrespectful — to the Christian values that I was brought up to believe.
I suspect their agenda is far greater than their opposition to Question 6. Would they require a litmus test to afford civil rights and liberties and the pursuit of happiness to all citizens?
Because I believe in the separation of church and state, I will vote yes on Question 6. I encourage all who plan to vote on this question to read the bill.
I know this is an emotional issue on both sides. But we must learn to be tolerant and inclusive to all citizens of our state.
Gary Eaton
Rawlings
Letters
Question 6 is a separation of church and state
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Which buck is it, and where is it supposed to stop?
Barack Obama has made Nixon look like a choir boy! “Obama worse than Nixon” the supermarket tabloid’s headlines read recently.
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Theft of car’s bike rack sour note during Scouts’ visit here
On the evening of June 6, while our Boy Scout troop camped at the Paw Paw Tunnel (Route 51, Mile 156.2 of the C&O Canal) someone stole our bike rack.
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All ‘gave some,’ but these from our local area truly ‘gave all’
Between June 14 (Flag Day) and July 4 (Independence Day), I’m responding to several recent editorials and letters to the editor.
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Freedom isn’t exactly what he thinks it is
In the June 2 Times-News, R. Steele Selby (“Just how free are we?) defines freedom as “the capacity to do whatever he or she wants to do” and asserts that this definition is “most likely nearly universal.”
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What Maryland calls the Fair Share Act isn’t fair at all
The Fair Share Act was passed in 2009. This law allowed for service fees to be part of the collective bargaining process.
The law does not mandate that service fees be negotiated, it simply provides that they can be. -
We have lots to show for our education dollars
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Judith Weller’s latest anti-education diatribe, “The money they already have isn’t being spent wisely,” (June 3).
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Western Md. Veterans continues its mission
My name is Dan Brashear, I am the founder and director of Western Maryland Veterans.
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Maybe the cyclists and casino workers should be armed
Again, unfortunately I have to remind Don Carns Jr. of Beans Cove, Pa., on his latest repeatedly inaccurate letter published June 10 in the Cumberland Times-News (“Township is nothing like either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia”).
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Let’s all kick in $1 to help save Frostburg’s Palace Theatre
As a former resident, I have many fond memories of the Palace Theatre (“Theater wall crumbles: Palace exterior collapses, unfit for entry: officials,” June 6 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Develop the waterway
Since the debate over removing the dam started about four years ago, I have been concerned about the effect the dam removal would have on the area’s welfare.
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Which buck is it, and where is it supposed to stop?
