Strange Bedfellows

Will wonders never cease? There are some in the Christian theological community that are proposing the separation of legal and religious marriage, if not the complete privatization of marriage. These proposals are remarkably in line with libertarian sentiments.

A study by the non-profit London-based Ekklesia (as reported by 365gay.com) would separate religious and civil marriage.

What we are offering in this discussion is not a final proposal, but an invitation to participate in a major re-think about the meaning and practice of ‘getting married’ on the part of both religious bodies and the government – based on a mutually beneficial disentangling of the roles, interests and practices of church and state.

more . . .

They even broach the subject of one-size-fits-all:

The legal aspect of the union could allow different arrangements depending on the intent of each couple...

And that's not all. Another unlikely ally is Pastor Matt Trewhella in Milwaukee who gives "Five reasons why Christians should not obtain a state marriage license," many of which could have been written by a libertarian. (Hat tip to HoT.)

A little less seriously, we even find Jay Leno is with the program:

The Senate has rejected the gay marriage ban. When you think about it, do you really want Congress defining marriage? That's like asking Charlie Sheen to define monogamy.

Perhaps in a generation or so, there is some hope of actually seeing government pulling out of marriage. However, I expect we will see same-sex marriage legalized in most states well before privatization achieves any significant momentum. It is likely that the former will help accelerate the later.