It's not about her 'believing' whatever the hell she wants. It is about not doing her job, being ordered by a judge to do her job, and refusing the judge's order is what got her put in jail. The clerks job is to process the license, not decide who gets to have one.
Let me put it another way. Your county elects a sheriff. Your state has a 'shall issue' concealed carry permitting law. Your sheriff refuses to process your concealed carry permit on account of his pacifist religious teachings. This government functionary is now claiming he has the religious right to deny you your rights. Judge orders him to issue the permit, but refuses and is jailed on contempt. Is he being jailed for his religious beliefs, or is he jailed for defying the judge's order to carry out the law and issue your permit?
We're not a nation of laws, except for when the county clerk of Podunk decides to no longer follow the law. We're a nation of laws, period. The other choice is an anarchy where every bureaucrat you encounter can decide which laws apply today. No thanks, I can't imagine a worse tyranny.
She does not work for the judge, she was elected, she works for her constituents. The only option to forcefully remove an elected official is impeachment. In reality, the judge should have zero authority over her unless she breaks a law. In this case, there is no law on the books saying she has to issue marriage licenses to queers, none. This judge should be removed from the bench and prosecuted for abuse of power.
No sheriff has ever been put in jail for not issuing CCW permits, and lots of them have refused to issue them to eligible citizens. Nor has any clerk been jailed for issuing marriage licensees to queers when queer marriage was illegal. Nor any mayor who refuses to follow immigration laws, that are on the books, in sanctuary cities. Your failure to understand that this woman is in jail simply for not violating her constitutionally protected religious beliefs is unfortunate, for lack of a better civil word.
Indecently, Ky voted 75% to define marriage as one man and one woman. And oh by the way, I am not religious at all.
Yes we are! But there is no law in Kentucky as the legislature is not in session so none has even been considered.
Current law prohibits the issuance of marriage licenses to gays.
The Supreme court does not have the ability to make new law. Only the legislature can do that or congress.
This woman was caught in a moral dilemma. The fed court is trying to ram this scotus decision up everyones backside. If this had been the law before she ran and was elected to office she would not have run.
What is happening in Kentucky and some other states that have already folded up like cheap tents, is blatantly unconstitutional. The only way we can address this is by ignoring the decision and petitioning our reps to do the same. If that does not work then all you have left is to fall on your sword and refuse.
Government offices of personnel, and those of private companies as well are currently requires to attempt to adjust the working environments for those with religious sensitivity's. they did not even consider that in this case. They are in error and they are illegal and unconstitutional. This is political brinkmanship. Nothing more or less.
And it's obscene.