Kim Davis has sparked up a tremendous amount of controversy in a short period of time. Davis, a 50 year-old fervent supporter of the Christian faith, assumed office as Clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky in January of 2015. As County Clerk, she was required to oversee various democratic processes within the State. Kentucky was included on the list of states that permitted the marriage of homosexual couples, just like the rest of the states under the supreme court’s recent ruling. So, what compelled Davis to deny homosexual couple Robbie Blankenship and Jesse Cruz a marriage license under federal court order?
Disputes over rights guaranteed by the First Amendment
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution denies infringement upon free exercise of religion and its customs/practices. This is where Davis, an ardent Christian, is able make a case for herself. Yes, Kim Davis is exercising her inalienable right under the First Amendment of freedom of religion. She claimed that she would be “violating her conscience” and “defying religious practices” if she permitted the distribution of same-sex marriage licenses. However, is she not denying same-sex couples their unalienable rights under the First Amendment as well? This in fact is the freedom of expression and the freedom to run one’s life as one sees fit. Unfortunately, if Davis were to be fired, she would most likely sue for religious discrimination and is being glorified for her heinous actions.
Mike Huckabee, arm-in-arm with Davis, accompanied her as she was released from jail on September 8th after a five-day sentence. Huckabee, a Southern Baptist Minister, didn’t miss his shot at a photo-op at a high-profile event. Upon Davis’ release, Huckabee addressed the crowd of impassioned Davis supporters, saying “lock me up!” and volunteering to take Davis’ place in jail.
Where are we now?
To the dismay of many Americans, Davis was permitted to re-assume office as Kentucky County Clerk after a meager five-day sentence. We are back to where we were sixteen days ago and find ourselves in the same position. Back to square one.
Regardless of whether you possess conservative or liberal beliefs, logic tells us that Davis’ actions were unjust in light of the recent federal court order permitting the marriage of same-sex couples. Religious quarrels aside, allowing Davis to re-assume office is unjustifiable, unexplainable, and downright wrong. Who is Kim Davis, a woman who has been married not one, not two, but FOUR times, to deny a homosexual couple they’re right to wed? Who is she to impede the pursuit of love? For Kim Davis, despite her exorbitant number of marriages, it is okay to deny other couples their pursuit of happiness. Perhaps in the shoes of Robbie Blankenship and Jesse Cruz, Davis would realize the implications of her actions. After finally making progress for marriage equality, the U.S. is once again set back.
Well written my sentiments exactly. I might add my opinion here. Again, the problem here is the same thing we clarified when we wrote the laws of the land. The separation of church and state must be upheld.
Look around you and see the same problem all over the world