Church and state collided Wednesday in a Capitol hearing room crowded with dozens of clergy members as a House panel advanced a controversial “pastor protection act,” prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, said his proposal (HB 43) is an “extra layer of protection” intended to assure that clergy do not have to perform same-sex marriages if they violate their religious beliefs or moral convictions.
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