As regular readers of this blog are aware, I have supported Aaron and Melissa Klein, the former owner of Sweet Cakes By Melissa in Gresham, Oregon, regarding their right to refuse to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple on the grounds that it flies in the face of their deeply held religious beliefs.
This is not because I support the Kleins\’ views on same sex marriage. I don\’t.
It is because they have rights too, and the owners of a private business such as theirs should not be forced to go against their beliefs. This is not a life and death situation we are talking about, this is baking a cake that could have been purchased at any other bakery.
On the other hand, we now have Rowan (Kentucky) County Clerk Kim Davis, who is refusing to process same-sex marriage licenses, also on religious grounds.
Ms. Davis should be fired immediately.
She is not running a private enterprise. She is a state worker, and her actions must – must – adhere to the law, even if she does not like the law. There is no choice here. Either follow the law or leave.
If Kim Davis\’ religious beliefs preclude her from issuing same-sex marriage licenses, they preclude her from working in a position where issuing them is a requirement. End of story.
