Christian County Clerk Jailed for Religious Beliefs on Marriage
Today, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis was jailed for holding to her religious beliefs on marriage and refusing to issue marriage licenses. Davis, who is a devout Apostolic Christian, has stated signing her name to same-sex “marriage” licenses would violate her sincere religious beliefs that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. Davis issued an edict that marriage licenses in Rowan County, Kentucky would not be issued after the Supreme Court’s decision in June that redefined marriage across the country. The Kentucky Constitution, approved by 75% of voters, states “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Kentucky…”
Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis
Davis was placed in the custody of U.S. Marshals until she complies with the order of Federal District Court Judge David L. Bunning. Judge Bunning also warned other clerks that they could be jailed should they refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Before today’s order, Davis told Todd Starnes with Fox News,
“I’ve weighed the cost and I’m prepared to go to jail, I sure am…This has never been a gay or lesbian issue for me. This is about upholding the word of God. I’m very steadfast in what I believe…I don’t leave my conscience and my Christian soul out in my vehicle and come in here and pretend to be something I’m not. It’s easy to talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?'”
Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz issued the following statement:
“The attack on religious freedom has reached a new level in America – the federal government is now throwing people in jail because of their sincere religious beliefs that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. This country was founded on religious freedom which is why our Founders recognized religious freedom in the first clause of the First Amendment. If the government can jail you for holding to the truth about marriage then religious freedom in America does not exist. The question is now where does this war on religious freedom end – will Christian teachers, cake bakers, florists, or even pastors be next?”
Many people across the country have spoken out in support of Davis and in opposition to the growing hostility towards religious freedom, including Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and others.
About Texas Values
Texas Values is a non-profit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.