A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate Kim Davis – Conscientious Objector or Homophobe?

Nov. 13, 2015

Rev. Dr. William C. Myers
Senior Pastor at Presbyterian Church of Traverse City

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." Declaration of Independence

Our nation was founded on dissent and the right of the people to declare when the "Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God" have been violated. Though we might disagree with her views, Kim Davis invoked this right – one supported by her oath of office -- when she refused to sign marriage licenses for same sex couples.

Her oath was to discharge the duties of the office "to the best of my skill and judgment."

In her judgment, the action of the Supreme Court was requiring her to execute an order contrary to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God." Upholding her oath of office, in good conscience, would require her to become a conscientious objector.

Judge Anthony Kennedy would disagree. Speaking at an event at Harvard Law School, Justice Kennedy suggested that public officials should resign when their personal religious or moral beliefs clash with legal authorities.

If we were speaking of an existing law, established by the people through our legislative process, I would concur. However, the "law" in question was created by the judicial branch subsequent to Ms. Davis taking office. Resigning would have violated her oath as well as her First Amendment rights. Her civil disobedience was in order.

GARY’S RESPONSE

I have enormous respect for Bill and as usual, I see merit to his statement. However, here is the final phrase of her 104- word oath: ""¦and will faithfully execute the duties of my office without favor, affection or partiality, so help me God." The emphasis is mine. Nowhere in that oath is there any allowance for arbitrarily deciding who qualifies for a marriage license. If anything, it specifically denies that option.

How does resigning her office violate her oath? People do this all the time, in both the private and public sectors, when they cannot live with conditions of employment. Placing Davis along side of true conscientious objectors diminishes their sacrifices. She is unwilling to sacrifice anything for her beliefs. That is not praiseworthy behavior; it is simple cowardice.

Gary Singer
Gary helps businesses with their Internet marketing. He was raised a Catholic.

The status of conscientious objector has been legally established for those who refuse military service based upon moral conviction. If Kim Davis’s refusal to issue marriage licenses to LGBT couples qualifies for conscientious objector status, how is that different from me refusing to pay income taxes based upon my Humanistic belief that using tax dollars to engage in war violates my convictions?

Episcopal minister Barry Lynn, having written extensively on conscientious objection to the Vietnam war says, "Real conscience is when you say I cannot do this and I will take the consequences. Kim Davis is not Martin Luther King, Dred Scott, or Rosa Parks.

She’s just a woman who will not give up her $80,000 a year job in order to obey the law and accept the responsibilities for what she said she would do."

Davis simply refuses to do her job. She cannot be fired, since she was elected to the same position her mother previously held for 38 years. With four marriages and three divorces under her belt, she has no problem dispensing with other teachings of her Pentecostal Christian religion.

This woman has no interest in quitting her job in order to uphold her religious beliefs, which would be true conscientious objection. She prefers the limelight. She feels she is taking one on the chin for Jesus and we should all understand. She does exactly what she wants regardless of the law, which is the reason we put people in prison. She is the ultimate bigot. Her religious beliefs are nothing more than an excuse to discriminate and it’s time to remove her and those like her from public office.

BILL’S RESPONSE

Having performed a same gender wedding, I don’t share Kim Davis’ burden of conscience. Nevertheless, I stand by her freedom of conscience. Gary has taken the SNL approach: "Let’s mock her, rather than look at facts."

Kim Davis refused to uphold a law created by our Supreme Court. Gary is wrong on all other counts. She has accepted the consequences. She went to jail for her beliefs. She can be fired by the people who put her in office; it’s called impeachment. This should have been the next step in the process. Perhaps it wasn’t pursued because of the Pandora’s box it would have opened. Gary’s mean-spirited attack on Ms. Davis’ personal life -- decisions made before her conversion -- is regrettable. Rupert Murdoch would be proud.

WHERE WE AGREE

Bill and Gary agree that Ms. Davis has true, heartfelt convictions. We both credit her with standing her ground for those, even though we disagree on the foundation of that stance.