I woke up this morning to this head line “Interracial Couple Denied Marriage License in La.”
Well, that grabbed my attention! How in the world could this happen in the U.S.? And I’m not alone…. It doesn’t take much to find many buzzing their disgust on this racist act and the oppression of the couple desiring to start their life together as husband and wife.
As I read the article, while the disgust was still there at the ignorant views of this gentleman, it did seem to me that the headline was doctored to get our emotional response more than to reflect the truth. It appears (and I could be wrong) that they were not denied a marriage license in the way that they could not get married in that county…the justice of the peace said he would not do the officiating himself due to his belief but any other pastor or justice could.
Now, I know that doesn’t make any of us less outraged by racism but I do think the point needs to be part of the discussion (if my understanding is correct)….
Should the justice of the peace be forced to officiate the wedding if it is against his beliefs?
I was shocked a couple years back when I came across a young couple who could not find a pastor to do their wedding because they had a baby out of wedlock. This disgusts me as much as the scenario mentioned above but these pastors should have this option no matter how much I disagree with them.
(Side Note: If you are one of these pastors, you miss out on witnessing opportunities as I had several hours to share with them in love and truth as I partnered in their lives. Also, don’t we want to assist them into a life style that is no longer sinful instead punishing them for sins past? Can anything be more Pharisee like?)
I know many pastors who will not officiate marriages for gay couples if same sex marriages become legal in our area.
I know I do not do weddings for those will not go through pre marital counseling because of my belief of how important it is to their future.
You can say “Well, this guy is not a pastor….He’s a Justice of the Peace.” And maybe that’s a legit point….
However, there’s quite a buzz on pharmacists who won’t give give out the morning after pill because of their pro-life views.
I think this guy is ignorant and his views disgusting. Does that mean we have the right to legislate his actions to be against his beliefs? What do you guys think?
I have two points of view on this while only reading your commentary and not the initial story:
No person should be forced to do anything against their will with or without regard to religious belief. If a person willingly accepts a paid position requiring them to do these actions, they have placed themself in this compromising position.
In other words…was this request made to him as the Justice of the Peace (gov’t paid, willingly accepted job/position) or as a private citizen with the ability to perform marriages.
For example, my office manager is a notary here in fl. She can legally officiate a wedding. She does not have an incorporated business doing weddings, nor does her position at the office require it. If she were asked to perform a gay marriage (if it were legal here) she would have every right to decline due to religious/personal/any resaon whatsoever. If she were employed by the clerk’s office that is in the business of marriages (there is a room at the court they use here in my county) she has no right to refuse b\c she has willingly taken a gov’t paid position to perform her job.
After all, if I worked in a grocery store and consistantly gave food to poor people and refused to make them pay for it, and did not pay for it myself b\c my religous beliefs said it should be given to them……I wouldn’t have a job and it wouldn’t be considered religious discrimination.
Life Liberty and the PURSUIT of happieness. You take the job…..you accept the duties and responsibilities there-in.
both of you have good points. i’d say i agree with jen for the most part. as a biracial woman in an interaracial relationship, i’m really of the opinion that no matter what that justice should or shouldn’t do, i would not want him officiating any wedding of mine. that couple is much better off without the stink of his bigotry on their happy day. having said that, he did accept this position and if he can’t carry it out, he shouldn’t continue in that position (at least not in a government-sponsored position). doctors treat criminals every day because they took an oath to help everyone, not just the ones that agree with them.
Let me preface by saying that I do not agree with this judge. I think there is nothing wrong with interracial couples what so ever.
Now, just wanting to play devils advocate in response to Amber’s comment.
What would be the difference between a judge refusing to perform services based on a personal or religious preferance verses a doctor refusing … Read Moreto perform abortions because of their personal or religious preferance?
While a judge is paid to perform certain duties, and likewise as a doctor is paid to perform certain duties, if one has a certain personal or religous preferance…should they be forced to perform that duty whether they agree with it or not?
It’s a fine line and it is easy to say Yes or No when you are not the one being forced to do something you do not agree with (Whether you are right or wrong).