Reader responds to marriage editorial

Marriage, as practiced in today’s church, does need to be re-examined, and a change in practice is called for, indeed. (See “A clarion call to fight for marriage,” Editorial, May).

Let the state do whatever it wishes for persons to enter into a contract having legal status and protections commonly afforded by the state. Call this mutual contract what you will —  “civil marriage” or whatever.

And let the church teach men and women what it means to follow Christ, to be molded by him into his image, whether as single men and women or as married men and women. Let the church get out of the business of hosting weddings and get into the grit of leading a married man and woman into holiness.

Jon Paden | Juneau, Alaska