States Need to Make Religious Accommodations

Kim Davis was a free woman again yesterday, after spending nearly a week in a Kentucky jail for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses as part of her post as a Kentucky county clerk. Her story has opened a religious liberties debate across the country, and American Family Association released the following statement adding that the main consideration is a religious accommodation for Christians like Davis in all states.

“Cases like Kim’s are a direct result of five liberal and radical Supreme Court justices who created chaos and confusion with their ruling this summer,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon. “Now, it’s clear that the issue of marriage should have been left up to states in the first place, and now states must make religious accommodations for all Christians like Kim Davis. Kentucky must lead this charge by changing its laws to consider the religious convictions of those in positions that will require them to vacate their beliefs and have a legal backup procedure when homosexual couples ask for marriage licenses. It’s up to states now to protect Christians because the Supreme Court did not. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, ordinances must be changed to accommodate religious liberty.

“Furthermore,” Wildmon added, “Kim Davis’ release from jail yesterday does not solve the overall problem of county clerks across the U.S. being forced to violate their conscience. For example, several clerks have already resigned because of the recent Supreme Court ruling. As Christians, we must stand together to defend our beliefs—and the beliefs of all—and continue to protect religious liberty by urging state lawmakers to protect our First Amendment rights.”

On Monday, a day before her release, according to CNN, Davis had asked Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to free her from jail and provide “reasonable, sensible accommodation so she can do her job,” according to a statement from her lawyers. “That would be taking her name off of marriage licenses in Rowan County and allowing her deputies to issue the licenses.”

Beshear’s office said the governor would not call an executive session to address any potential changes to current laws, citing expense for the state. The Kentucky legislature will not be back in session until January.

AFA has also been exploring this important religious liberties issue on it blog—The Stand. Read more at “Two Public Servants on Different Sides of History.”