Maine4Marriage, one of the smaller political action committees opposing the gay-marriage proposal on November’s ballot, has challenged Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine to explain the ballot question’s implications for religious freedom.

“We do not know why your organization decided not to include more protection for religious freedom in your proposed law as other states have done,” wrote Miriam Conners, a Topsham woman who is listed as principal officer of Maine4Marriage. “But if this law is adopted, that decision will result in unnecessary and divisive litigation and conflict in our state over religious freedom.”

David Farmer, spokesman for Mainers United for Marriage, which is campaigning to legalize same-sex marriage, said Conners is mistaken and the proposed law explicitly provides an exemption for the clergy.

It reads: “This chapter does not require any member of the clergy to perform or any church, religious denomination or other religious institution to host any marriage in violation of the religious beliefs of that member of the clergy, church, religious denomination or other religious institution.”

Farmer said the law also would protect places of worship from being sued if they do not want to rent space to same-sex couples. “That is an explicit new exemption that would be added to Maine law,” he said.

Maine4Marriage describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonreligious citizen-based organization committed to defending marriage in Maine. The group had raised $312 as of the June 2 reporting deadline.

 


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