Religious Law
Officiants from 'Church of the Latter Day Dude' could perform weddings, but not atheists
Minnesota’s Washington County will change its policy after an atheist group sued for the right of its members to perform civil marriages there.
As a result of the policy change, U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen tossed the suit filed by Atheists for Human Rights, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
The group sued to overturn Washington County policy that allowed only members of religious groups to officiate at civil weddings. Religious groups allowed to register included the “Church of the Latter Day Dude” and the “Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.”
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said the county changed its policy after recognizing a strong likelihood it would lose the suit and could be assessed significant attorney fees.
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