Be thankful church, state are separate

I would like to point out, as I did in past letters to the editor. to Mr. Richard Skiba that marriage is a legal civil contract and although probably most are officiated by clergy, anyone licensed by the state can perform a marriage. That includes judges, JPs, and anyone else the state has licensed. Legally, it is not a religious contract. I would remind those who want to mix religion with civil rights need only to see what is going on in Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries where religion dominates. There was a time when Christians burned "heretics" at the stake. Be thankful that there is a wall dividing civil & religion in the USA.

George Blinick

Prospect Heights