Controversial opinions? This sounds like fun. I have a couple.
I believe in complete separation between state and religion. The same way it is in Europe – much more than in the US.
(For Americans: in Europe, in most countries, for example, the *only* way to legally get married is a civil marriage via your local municipality / council. Religious ceremonies, whether performed by a rav, a priest, imam, or anyone else, do not have any relevance or any standing for the law. The only place one can get legally married for the law is via the government.)
Mixing state with religion only gives trouble. I believe Israel should dismantle the “Rabbanut”. The state should focus on being a state – and religious people should focus on managing their own affairs.
Why? Because that will guarantee freedom of religion – without the government’s interference. I am referring, for example, to the Rabbanut being forced by a court to grant a hechsher to a bakery owned by “J for youknowwho’s”, or the court ordering the Rabbanut to allow people with fake IDF ‘conversions’ to register for marriage.
Totally separating state from religion will allow each and every person to lead their life the way they want it. Each religion can practice its own practices.
I would even go as far as to say that, that being considered, I don’t even oppose gay marriage. Again: freedom. If they want to do that, let them. Why should I care? Why should I force my views on others? I just don’t care, and I don’t see the problem. I really don’t understand why Americans care so much about this issue in New York at the moment either – what does it matter? Why does it bother you? Let them be happy… it’s their issue, not yours.