Legislature should approve civil unions

Marriage is a religious sacrament. It is not the role of government to administer sacraments; it is the role of representatives of the various religious traditions.

The Illinois General Assembly now has an opportunity to stop various government units from administering the sacrament of marriage. A proposal now being considered by the Illinois House creates "civil unions" in our state, allowing all couples (including same-sex couples, agnostics, and atheists) to enjoy the legal protections and responsibilities of a legal partnership. The bill provides protections without offending those who express deep concern about changing the sacrament of marriage to help gay and lesbian couples and their families.