Imprisoned Kentucky County Clerk Rejects Proposal to Let Deputies Issue 'Gay Marriage' Licenses
September 3, 2015 | Filed under: Law & Government,Life & Society,Top Stories | By: Heather Clark

Davis JailASHLAND, Ky. — The Kentucky county clerk who was ordered to serve time behind bars until she agrees to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals has rejected a proposal to allow her deputy clerks perform the duty instead.

Hours after she was taken into custody and transported to Carter County Jail, attorneys for Rowan County clerk Kim Davis said that she would not authorize her deputies to issue the licenses under her authority. The proposal had been offered as a compromise to release Davis from jail.

The six deputies under Davis appeared before U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning this afternoon, and while most showed reluctance to issue the licenses, five out of six ultimately told the court they would do so. The lone voice of resistance was Davis' son, Nathan, who said it was not possible for him to participate because of his Christian identity.

However, some of those who agreed to sign the paperwork questioned whether or not they even had legal authority to issue the licenses without the authorization of the clerk. Davis' attorneys also expressed doubt over whether such a move would be legal.

Bunning, a Roman Catholic, said homosexuals would have to take that risk, and stated that he would release Davis from jail if her deputy clerks issued the licenses instead. However, he said that he would not release Davis forthrightly because of his concern that she would put a stop to it and the matter would again be back before the courts.

As previously reported, Bunning, appointed to the bench by then-president George W. Bush, declared Davis in contempt of court this morning after she explained in tears that it is not possible for her to comply with the order because of her Christianity.

"My conscience will not allow it," she said. "God's moral law convicts me and conflicts with my duties."

While the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had requested that Davis be heavily fined until she bends, Bunning told the court that a monetary punishment would not be enough to force her to obey, and expressed concern that supporters would help pay her fine.

"I don’t do this lightly," he said. "It's necessary in this case."

Davis was then taken into custody by U.S. marshals and led out of the courthouse.

"Thank you, judge," she stated as she was being escorted from the room.

"I've weighed the cost and I’m prepared to go to jail. I sure am," Davis told Fox reporter Todd Starnes on Wednesday. "This has never been a gay or lesbian issue for me. This is about upholding the word of God. This is a Heaven or Hell issue for me and for every other Christian that believes. This is a fight worth fighting."

Davis said that you can't separate a person from their Christianity—it's who they are and how they live.

"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," she stated. "It’s easy to talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"

Davis became a Christian in 2011 after living apart from Christ in a sinful lifestyle that resulted in several divorces. She said in a statement earlier this week that it was her mother-in-law’s dying wish that she attend church, which led to her repentance and faith in Christ. Davis states that those who are now criticizing her are welcome to repent of their sin and be born again just as she did four years ago.

"All I can say to them is if they have a sordid past like what I had, they too can receive the cleansing and renewing, and they can start a fresh life and they can be different," Davis told Starnes. "They don’t have to remain in their sin. There’s hope for tomorrow."

http://christiannews.net/2015/09/03/imprisoned-kentucky-county-clerk-rejects-proposal-to-let-deputies-issue-gay-marriage-licenses/

Federal Judge Orders County Clerk to Jail Until She Agrees to Issue ‘Gay Marriage’ Licenses
September 3, 2015 | Filed under: Law & Government,Life & Society,Top Stories | By: Heather Clark

Davis IIMOREHEAD, Ky. — A federal judge has ordered a Kentucky clerk to be placed behind bars until she complies with his order to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals despite her Christian identity.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning, appointed to the bench by then-president George W. Bush, declared Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis in contempt of court this morning after she explained in tears that it is not possible for her to comply with the order because of her Christianity.

“My conscience will not allow it,” she said. “God’s moral law convicts me and conflicts with my duties.”

While the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had requested that Davis be heavily fined until she bends, Bunning told the court that a monetary punishment would not be enough to force her to obey, and expressed concern that supporters would help pay her fine.


“I don’t do this lightly,” he said. “It’s necessary in this case.”

Davis was then taken into custody by U.S. marshals and led out of the courthouse.

“Thank you, judge,” she stated as she was being escorted from the room.

Both supporters and opponents of Davis gathered outside of the courthouse to speak their mind on the matter.

“This is so ugly,” demonstrator Ashley Hogue told the Associated Press, speaking of those who came to support Davis and preach the gospel.

“We don’t hate these people,” replied Charles Ramsey. “We wouldn’t tell them how to get saved if we hated them.”

As previously reported, Davis has been the subject of a federal suit filed by the ACLU on behalf of two homosexuals and their partners, and well as two opposite-sex couples, after she declined to issue any marriage licenses of any kind following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Last month, Bunning ruled in the ACLU case, making similar statements as Beshear—that Davis may have the free exercise of religion in her private life, but limited her Christian identity on the job to a mental belief as opposed to an inseparable, inviolable lifestyle that excludes her from being a facilitator of other men’s sins. (1 Timothy 5:22)

Her attorneys then appealed the order, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Bunning denying the desired stay. The U.S. Supreme Court likewise rejected the stay request on Monday.

As Davis continued to refuse to issue the licenses, the ACLU filed a motion to hold her in contempt of court and she was ordered to appear on Thursday.

Gov. Steve Beshear, (D), has refused to assist Davis, declining to call a special session of the General Assembly over the matter despite requests from lawmakers. Davis sued Beshear, a professing Christian, several weeks ago after he declared in a letter that all county clerks must issue licenses to homosexuals despite their Christian ethos.

“Neither your oath nor the Supreme Court dictates what you must believe. But as elected officials, they do prescribe how we must act,” he wrote.

At least two other clerks in the state, Casey Davis of Casey County and Kenny Brown in Boone County, are likewise declining to issue licenses because of their Christian convictions. Davis’ case has been the most prominent and the pending punishment most severe.

“I’ve weighed the cost and I’m prepared to go to jail. I sure am,” Davis told Fox reporter Todd Starnes on Wednesday. “This has never been a gay or lesbian issue for me. This is about upholding the word of God. This is a Heaven or Hell issue for me and for every other Christian that believes. This is a fight worth fighting.”

Davis said that you can’t separate a person from their Christianity—it’s who they are and how they live.

“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,” she stated. “It’s easy to talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?”

Davis became a Christian in 2011 after living apart from Christ in a sinful lifestyle that resulted in several divorces. She said in a statement earlier this week that it was her mother-in-law’s dying wish that she attend church, which led to her repentance and faith in Christ. Davis states that those who are now criticizing her are welcome to repent of their sin and be born again just as she did four years ago.

“All I can say to them is if they have a sordid past like what I had, they too can receive the cleansing and renewing, and they can start a fresh life and they can be different,” Davis told Starnes. “They don’t have to remain in their sin. There’s hope for tomorrow.”

http://christiannews.net/2015/09/03/federal-judge-orders-county-clerk-to-jail-until-she-agrees-to-issue-gay-marriage-licenses/

OLAADEGBU:


For those of you who claim that homosexuality doesn't do any harm to straight folks and people of faith this is what is coming.

SmartMugu:


Yup. I'm sure there will be more coming. It's indeed a screwed up decision legalizing homosexuality in the US. A lot more kids will end up growing up more confused than they are now.

tracyfemmmm:


Please serves her right do not bring your religion into government.There is such a thing as separation of church and state.If you cannot do your job which you are paid to do resign simple.live and let live pls

OLAADEGBU:


This is the judicial tyranny homosexuality brings to the table.

OLAADEGBU:


This is the judicial tyranny homosexuality brings to the table.

SmartMugu:

Yup. I'm sure there will be more coming. It's indeed a screwed up decision legalizing homosexuality in the US. A lot more kids will end up growing up more confused than they are now.

tracyfemmmm:


that is simply not true as an elected government official you are supposed to obey the law of the government before ur own personal agenda if you cannot then resign

amalektch:


this isnt judicial tyranny... in case you forgot, America is not a theocracy but a secular country where atheists, gays and others have rights as much as you do. Kim Davis has no right to block the constitutional rights of a gay couple to obtain a marriage license just as much as no one denied her the right to 4 marriage licenses... even though God hates divorce.

BuhBye:

Confused about what? Their sexuality?

OLAADEGBU:


Granted that America is not a theocracy but it is still subject to the Law of God.

amalektch:


No its not. According to Matt 4:8-9, all the kingdoms of the world belong to the enemy. Christ expects us to come out of the world, not try to force the world to live according to the principles of He who they rejected centuries ago.

OLAADEGBU:


As I said the powers that be are ordained by God even when they are evil. Christians are only obliged to obey their Governments when it does not go against the Law of God who ordained them.

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1).

amalektch:


You're looking at one side of the coin... 1 Pet 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Christians should certainly not obey laws that go against the scriptures. But how did God teach us to do so? To openly and rebelliously use the instruments of power to disobey the government? The three hebrew children refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar, but they did so with humility, taking care NEVER to speak evil of the king. They boldly went to their deaths, praising God and asking Him to show Himself on their behalf. Their testimony brought even the wicked king to his knees... is anyone under the illusion that Kim Davis' actions have been of any positive benefit to the kingdom of God?

If Kim Davis wanted to follow their example, she could have simply resigned, trusting the Lord to get her a better job. That would have been a powerful witness for her faith. Rather, her attitude portrays christians as intolerant bullies and uncharitable hypocrites. She swears an oath to obey ALL laws of the land (secular laws by the way), pocketing a salary paid for by sinners she hates... while denying them a constitutional right that has been mandated by three layers of the judicial system? and we think God is impressed? lol

OLAADEGBU:


With the way you are talking will you obey Hitler's Nazi law to murder the Jews or not?

amalektch:


Do exactly as the three hebrew children did... refuse by choosing to leave government service and going obediently to death if it came to that. What would you do? Call Hitler a demon or sue him to court? How christian.

OLAADEGBU:


Be sincere now. If the Nazi regime put a gun to your head and told you that you either shoot the Jews or you get shot what will you do?

OLAADEGBU:


Not so. You are only obliged to obey the law of the government when it does not go against the Law of God.

tracyfemmmm:


actually you can be put in prison for disobeying the law.its dat simple if u cannot stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

OLAADEGBU:


And that is what Peter and many of the disciples did because they would rather obey God than man. That is Christianity for you especially when living under a judicial tyranny.

OLAADEGBU:


And that is what Peter and many of the disciples did because they would rather obey God than man. That is Christianity for you especially when living under a judicial tyranny.

amalektch:


The actions of peter/the disciples are a complete opposite of what Kim Davis has done. The disciples disobeyed an unjust law but did not attempt to use the instrument of power to force others to live according to their dictates. More importantly, the disciples were not hypocritically drawing salaries from the same government they were rebelling against, while suing the same government for violating their "rights" to discriminate against others who believe differently than they. Even more importantly, the disciples lived lives that were beyond reproach - you could argue about their preaching, but you could never accuse them of living lives that were in complete contrast to what they preached.

Please stop using the gospel heroes to whitewash the unchristian character of your heroes of constitutional activism.

amalektch:


For the upteenth time, judicial tyranny is not when a court decides that everyone cannot be forced to live under the dictates of your version of god. I'll believe you when courts restrict you from going to church or ask you not to buy a bible... until then, please spare us the false hyperbole. The rest of us, christians too, are tired of your religious tyranny.

amalektch:


Ask them to shoot me rather quickly. I know where i'm going when i leave this world so no need to fear. But this had nothing to do with my response. What would the three hebrew children do if they were in Kim Davis's shoes? Would they make it about Christ or about their own religious piety and rebellious tantrums?

amalektch:


Do exactly as the three hebrew children did... refuse by choosing to leave government service and going obediently to death if it came to that. What would you do? Call Hitler a demon or sue him to court? How christian.

OLAADEGBU:


Daniel did not 'leave government service' when he was denied his right to pray to the living God did he?

OLAADEGBU:


If I were you I would rather examine my faith to see if I've not been deceived all alone thinking that I am saved. Daniel was an high official in Babylon when he disobeyed the kings order not to pray to any other God than him. If you were Daniel would you rather resign your position or disobey the edict?

OLAADEGBU:


Judicial tyranny is when the law discriminates to exercise justice when it comes to Christians exercising their rights. I opened a thread where a lesbian judge refused to marry straight couples and the lesbian judge was not prosecuted for choosing to marry them. You are a typical example of the kind of people who will persecute Christians in the last days seeking to eliminate them as your friends who sought to expose Daniel when he chose to pray when the edict forbid him to do so.

OLAADEGBU:


So you believe the disciples disobeyed an unjust law but Kim has no right to disobey an unjust law? Why should Kim have her rights denied her when she is also a tax payer who is equally entitled to have her religious rights protected? The fact that you wished that she should go hungry because of her exercising her religious rights shows that you are in the enemies camp who will rather that Christians be chased out of town.