Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis, refuses to issue same-sex marriage licenses
Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, continues to defy the Supreme Court in approving same-sex marriage licenses. Despite the landmark ruling earlier this summer Davis is resolute in her religious convictions in denying gay couples marriage licenses. She maintains she is “acting under God’s authority.” Davis states that same-sex marriage violates her religious beliefs and she is thus exercising her religious freedom by denying the licenses.
Davis released the following statement:
“To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience…I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s word.”
Furthermore, she thinks gay couples should visit other counties to obtain their marriage licenses. While some praise her for standing up for her religious beliefs, others chastised her for refusing to treat all U.S. citizens with the same rights.
Three years ago to the day I offered my solution to the gay marriage debate. Regardless of my opinion or Kim’s for that matter the law of the land states that gay marriage is legal. Therefore, as a county clerk (someone who works in a public office) she is obligated to comply with the law. If she chooses to be subordinate in her duties then maybe she should consider another position, one of which does not conflict with her moral convictions.
Her opinion on the matter of same-sex marriage is irrelevant in the context of her position. It is irrelevant to the context of her executing the duties of her position. If she decides to be negligent in those duties than she is not fit to continue in her position. Gay couples shouldn’t have to go to neighboring counties to obtain marriage licenses. To do so, would only perpetuate discrimination based on sexual preference.
What do you think?
Do you agree with Davis?
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3 responses to “Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis, refuses to issue same-sex marriage licenses”
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- - September 2, 2015
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Her position is that it would be a violation of her religious freedom to issue a marriage license to a gay or lesbian couple. It’s a violation of theirs if she doesn’t.. So whose rights trump? The answer to that is clear. The Supreme Court has ruled and gay and lesbian couples won.
She has a choice. She can resign from her position. That’s the ethical thing to do. She says she won;t do that because she would be ceding her religious rights. I don;t think that’s the case. I think that the reason she won’t resign is that she doesn’t want to lose the $80,000 per year job. I understand that, but that’s just too bad. Do the job or leave. The choice is clear.
Exactly my point. Her opinion on the matter is irrelevant. Due to the nature of her position and the fact she is a government employee she must abide by the laws as established by our judicial system. Therefore, if she is morally against affixing her name to the marriage licenses then she should cede her position.
Not sure why this has become a large debate. When did we become a nation in which in what celebrated to promote illegal behavior?