Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis and the Right to Marry
The story on everyone’s minds and newsfeeds this week is Kim
Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to homosexual
couples. There is much confusion and disagreement surrounding her jailing. Her
supporters believe she was jailed due to her religious beliefs, while others,
including myself, recognize that she was jailed for breaking the law. Davis
chose not to issue marriage certificates even after being ordered by a federal
judge.
Many opinions are circling the web and the news. One
opinion, mine, is this; the Supreme Court, the highest court in the nation made
a decision. SCOTUS ruled that all rights that apply to opposite-sex couples now
apply to same-sex couples across the country. The republic that we all love so
much was built on the foundation of laws and justice. And this is the law.
Kim Davis, as a government employee, was bound by law to
grant those couples marriage licenses regardless of her religious beliefs. We
all have a right to our beliefs. It is a fundamental right that is necessary
and important for the stability of our country. That does not mean that one is
allowed to ignore a judicial mandate and deny others their rights as American
citizens. Religion has no place in government. The separation of church and
state is fundamental to the welfare of our country. If Kim Davis is unable to
separate her religious beliefs from her role as government employee she should
no longer be allowed to do that job. Period.
-MWPC Intern Emma Sands
