Okla. Stat. tit. 43, § 43-7.1
This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 43, § 43-7.1, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 43, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 43,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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Refusal to solemnize or recognize marriage by religious
Official statutory text
organization officials - Definitions.
A. No regularly licensed, ordained or authorized official of
any religious organization shall be required to solemnize or
recognize any marriage that violates the official's conscience or
religious beliefs. A regularly licensed, ordained or authorized
official of any religious organization shall be immune from any
civil claim or cause of action based on a refusal to solemnize or
recognize any marriage that violates the official's conscience or
religious beliefs.
B. As used in this section:
1. "Recognize" means to provide religious-based services that:
a. are delivered by a religious organization or by an
individual who is managed, supervised or directed by a
religious organization, and
b. are designed for married couples or couples engaged to
marry and are directly related to solemnizing,
celebrating, strengthening or promoting a marriage,
such as religious counseling programs, courses,
retreats and workshops; and
2. "Religious organization" means any church, seminary,
synagogue, temple, mosque, religious order, religious corporation,
association or society, whose identity is distinctive in terms of
common religious creed, beliefs, doctrines, practices or rituals of
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 43. Marriage and Family Page 14
any faith or denomination, including any organization qualifying as
a church or religious organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(d)
of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
A. No regularly licensed, ordained or authorized official of
any religious organization shall be required to solemnize or
recognize any marriage that violates the official's conscience or
religious beliefs. A regularly licensed, ordained or authorized
official of any religious organization shall be immune from any
civil claim or cause of action based on a refusal to solemnize or
recognize any marriage that violates the official's conscience or
religious beliefs.
B. As used in this section:
1. "Recognize" means to provide religious-based services that:
a. are delivered by a religious organization or by an
individual who is managed, supervised or directed by a
religious organization, and
b. are designed for married couples or couples engaged to
marry and are directly related to solemnizing,
celebrating, strengthening or promoting a marriage,
such as religious counseling programs, courses,
retreats and workshops; and
2. "Religious organization" means any church, seminary,
synagogue, temple, mosque, religious order, religious corporation,
association or society, whose identity is distinctive in terms of
common religious creed, beliefs, doctrines, practices or rituals of
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 43. Marriage and Family Page 14
any faith or denomination, including any organization qualifying as
a church or religious organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(d)
of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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