ACTION ALERT: Proposed Law Erases ‘Husband and Wife’ From Marriage

This is urgent. A bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature threatens the rights of every pastor and minister, and permanently changes the words used to solemnize marriages.

If approved, LB 785 would require couples to solemnly declare in the presence of the minister that they take each other as “spouses,” not “husband and wife,” for the marriage to be valid.

While there is nothing wrong with the word “spouses,” this bill would permanently change how pastors and ministers are required by law to perform marriage ceremonies.

There are two components necessary for a marriage to be valid in Nebraska: a marriage certificate and the subsequent solemnization of the marriage by an authorized person such as a minister or judge.

Under LB 785, “husband and wife” would be erased and replaced with “spouses” so that the only way a marriage can be solemnized and therefore valid in Nebraska is if the parties solemnly declare in the presence of the minister that they take each other as “spouses.”

This bill would force ministers to abandon language essential to their faith during the performance of one of society’s most sacred ceremonies.

This is a serious violation of the religious freedom and free speech rights of Christian couples and pastors.

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