State of Ohio rejects Dudeism!? Whoa, wtf man?

[SirDickman]

Let me start by saying, the last thing I intend to do is advertise myself in the yellow pages as a wedding officiant.  I am not on some random "let's marry people for fun" crusade, either.  I do work in the wedding industry and on wedding day we are plenty busy enough already - but if there is anything at all that I can do, as a wedding professional, to either "save the day" or provide a service nobody in town offers, I always will man.

That being said, it seems the State of Ohio has the same closed-minded ideas that most any major religion does (we're right, you're wrong, we have better lobbyists than you, yadda yadda yadda).  I do not mean to stand on my soapbox, but I will say religious bias and persecution are the very reasons I avoid bible-thumping institutions.  I think those very same reasons are why many of you visited the Dudeism pages and said "whoa, that's cool stuff".

So, to the point - in response to my official application to the secretary of state for a "license to solemnize marriages", I receive the below letter.  I think in that legal-ese somewhere is a sure sign of hypocrisy and religious prejudice, but take from it your own interpretation (the state certainly takes liberty in their own interpretation so why shouldn't we?).

Some take Dudeism seriously, some do not.  Either way, the principle is that arbitrary standards have been established by the non-dudely states to keep new ideas out of their ancient system of religious beliefs.  (why accept it, when you can reject it? - buzz-kill, man.)

Anyway, If there were any doubt whether Dudeism is recognized by the State of Ohio, read below.  Whether the state's rejection of Dudeism, based on their own theistic ideas, is morally / ethically / legally right is the very point which I put up for debate.

Take it easy, my brothers and sisters.

Dudely Yours,

Sir Dickman


-- Start --

JON HUSTED
OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE

CLIENT SERVICE CENTER - RECORDS
180 EAST BROAD STREET, SUITE 103
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 USA
TEL: (614) 728-9200 / (877) 767-6446
FAX: (614) 995-5749 [OHIO SOS WEBSITE ADDRESS]

[RECIPIENT NAME]
[RECIPIENT STREET ADDRESS]
[RECIPIENT CITY/STATE/ZIP]

This acknowledges receipt of your request for a minister's license to perform marriages in the State of Ohio.  They are being returned to you for the reason(s) listed below:

You are requesting to be licensed with the Church of the Latter Day-Dude however after a review of the information on the Dudeism web page:

*O. R. C. 3101.10 states in part that:  "A minister upon producing credentials of his being a regular ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or conregation shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary of State...a license."  These are not interpreted to include professional organizations or groups whose members are actually affiliated with other denominations and who cannot consider their group to comprise a "congregation."

Please return this letter with your document(s).  If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at (614) 728-9200 or (877) 767-6446.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Marty Bard
License Administrator
[Reference #]

-- End --

[cckeiser]

Bummer dude.
But welcome to the forum dude.

[Outer Element]

Hey, SD,

It seems to me that the OH Secretary of State's bases for rejection are totally fucked because, according to the quoted article, we don't have to be a congregation -- we can be a religious society. It's likely that there's a definition of "religious society" elsewhere in the code, but perhaps not. Whether or not there is, I think an argument could be made that since Dudeism is a religion that has followers that socially engage with each other, we are indeed a religious society. Do we need to state that outright? I don't know, but I don't think it would be a stretch to do so.

On another point made in the letter, although some of us may be members of local churches, synagogues, etc., I'm sure there are plenty of dudes who are not "actually affiliated with other denominations" (which is an inappropriate reference anyway because Dudeism is a religion, not a denomination of a religion). This is a huge assumption on the part of the SoS, and, I think, quite incorrect.

I have no background in law, but I just get the feeling that a lawyer would have a field day with Ohio's reasons for rejection. My opinion, mang.

In Dudeliness,

Outer Element

[DigitalBuddha]

Welcome to our beach community, dude.

Yeah, a state or two are acting like fucking Walter pulling a piece out on the lanes and trying to mark it zero for dudeism. Fucking nazis, man. Human paraquats. Nothing ever ever changes.

[Outer Element]

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3101

3101.08 Who may solemnize marriages.

An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state who is licensed to solemnize marriages, a judge of a county court in accordance with section 1907.18 of the Revised Code, a judge of a municipal court in accordance with section 1901.14 of the Revised Code, a probate judge in accordance with section 2101.27 of the Revised Code, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church, may join together as husband and wife any persons who are not prohibited by law from being joined in marriage.

Effective Date: 04-11-1991


3101.10 License to solemnize marriages.

A minister upon producing to the secretary of state, credentials of his being a regularly ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation, shall be entitled to receive from the secretary of state a license authorizing him to solemnize marriages in this state so long as he continues as a regular minister in such society or congregation. A minister shall produce for inspection his license to solemnize marriages upon demand of any party to a marriage at which he officiates or proposes to officiate or upon demand of any probate judge.

Effective Date: 06-04-1976


Check this out, too (durned innarestin'):

3101.06 Denying license.

No marriage license shall be granted when either of the applicants is under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or controlled substance or is infected with syphilis in a form that is communicable or likely to become communicable.

Effective Date: 04-09-1981

[Rev. Gary (revgms)]

We have gathered into a group, it is based around a particular "faith"/world view, we have congregated.

[DigitalBuddha]

We have gathered into a group, it is based around a particular "faith"/world view, we have congregated.

Fucking eh! Like at bowling lanes all over the world. What more do these fucking human paraquats need?! We gather at bowling lanes and congregate. That should surfice! We know our rights, man!



.

[Abideist]

Did you show em your letter of good standing? 

[Outer Element]

We are a congregation in the general sense, but to fit the common conception of a religious congregation (which paraquat states like Ohio undoubtedly look for), we would need to meet regularly for worship. While we do praise the Dude and all things dudely, we don't set dates and times to do this all together in an organized fashion (do we, and/or has this been tried?).

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/congregation
1.   a group of people assembled for religious worship.
?   a group of people regularly attending a particular place of worship: he was a member of the Emmanuel Chapel congregation

http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/congregation
1. a group of people who are gathered together in a church to worship God, not including the priest and choir
2. the group of people who belong to a particular church and go there regularly to worship

[SirDickman]

I looked over the O.R.C. and gave my best novice interpretation of the laws of the state, prior to applying for a minister's license.  It is worthwhile to note:

There is no legal definition of "Congregation", in section 3101 - so I believe that would give way to any generally accepted definition of the word.  "a group"

Section 3101.6, I believe this refers to the marriage license, not the minister's license.  Either way, I was sober and not afflicted with an STD at the time...

I believe the phrase "regularly ordained" is interpreted as being a member in good standing with an up-to-date ordination subject to the religious society's rules for maintaining an ordination.  This goes hand-in-hand with the state's own website that states "The license to marry is valid only as long as you remain a minister serving and representing the religious society or congregation as it appears on the State License to Solemnize Marriages in Ohio."

I know, based on reliable sources, the State of Ohio accepts ordination from  Universal Life Church or World Christianship Ministries (I forget which one).  This, in my novice opinion, sets precedence that a brick-and-mortar church with regular scheduled meeting times are not necessarily a requirement.

I personally consider a minister as anyone who lives by and spreads the message of a particular religious society.  I think all of us spread peace, love, harmony, taking it easy, and an affinity for beer and bowling.  I do not think that is a stretch from a reasonable man's interpretation.

As far as regular meetings, perhaps a podcast would qualify.  It is not much different than televised church services, and is portable so you can reassure your dudely ways whenever convenient.  Hmmm... interesting idea.

Not sure if I feel like pressing this issue or not, but I think the state's prejudice here is clearly established.

Dudely Yours,

Sir Dickman

[Outer Element]

ULC/WCM approval--definite precedent, man! Next step in my mind is a letter from a High Dude warning of the legal consequences of religious discrimination. I understand if you'd rather listen to whale sounds than pursue, but this dude would want his rug back!

[BikerDude]

I've always been suspicious of the Matrimonial Industrial Complex.

[cckeiser]

go for it dude!

[DigitalBuddha]

I've always been suspicious of the Matrimonial Industrial Complex.

Its all a travesty, man!

[Rev. Gary (revgms)]

Use the ULC ordaination as a Dudeist Priest, that would be Dudely cunning, like taking any rug in the joint.