Reply #5: Because the RW talking point has worked its magic...

[Sapphocrat]

...and sunk into the brains of far too many members of the Left. That Edwards himself doesn't even seem to understand that no religious institution would ever be forced to do anything only further hammers the myth home -- and tells me that Edwards is sorely misinformed:

"I don't think the federal government has a role in telling either states or religious institutions, churches, what marriages they can bless and can't bless. I think the state of New Hampshire ought to be able to make that decision for itself, like every other state in the country. I think every church ought to be able to make that decision for itself."

I can only guess where he got the stupid idea that any church would be "forced" to marry same-sex couples (what, does he think Catholic churches can be forced to marry Jews, too? or synagogues can be forced to marry atheists?); what scares me is that he believes it.

About a month ago, I was easing myself into the idea of voting for Edwards. Today? If that's what he really said to Sojourners, then he has lost all credibility on the issue of marriage equality.

Somebody needs to set him "straight," and fast -- now he's doing actual damage by reiterating this tired old myth.