She added that she is not hopeful that
civil marriage will be widely implemented in Lebanon any time soon.
Rabia Zayat, a prominent television host, says she is in favour of
civil marriage.
Translation: "Can we express opinions on
civil marriage without being accused of atonement.
Israel does not have a legal framework for
civil marriage or divorce, same-sex unions, marriage between two individuals who belong to different religions or for marriage when either of the two partners is registered as "having no religion."
The easiest way to solve that problem is for priests to stop signing any
civil marriage licenses--a duty that can surely be left to a local judge--and only officiating sacramental weddings.
She said: "After listening to Alliance Party members, as well as from people who have corresponded with me, I believe we have made the correct decision in supporting the extension of
civil marriage provisions to samesex couples provided that robust protections are in place for faith groups who oppose these measures."
"We are so pleased to have the first civil partnership on religious premises, but we will continue striving for all couples to have equal access to
civil marriages, religious marriages and civil partnerships."
Firstly, Judaism already treats Jewish and
civil marriages differently, and synagogueslike all religious organizationsare free to define marriage according to their own religious principles.
Efforts to repeal
civil marriage take our focus away from important matters of the economy, creating jobs, streamlining our state budget and finding solutions for education funding.
They are not entitled to deny gays and lesbians the opportunity to troop off to the local registry office with their friends and celebrate their love in
civil marriage.
Activists held banners on Sunday saying, "Make
civil marriage, not civil war," referring to the fact that having a
civil marriage is not possible in Lebanon.
<![CDATA[ Knesset passes pared-down version of the
civil marriage bill, enabling those of ano religiona to join together in something akin to marriage.