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What is a Town Clerk to do?

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Salty, Jun 26, 2011.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Under the new so-called New York Marriage Equality Act, a Town Clerk is prohibited by law to refuse a marriage license to a couple for the sole reason they are of the same gender. I suppose you would not be permitted to make a comment either.

    If you were a Town Clerk, would you resign, fight for a court appeal (against your religion) or hold your nose? ​
     
  2. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Depends....do they get a pension & health care?
     
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    This is meant as a serious discussion
     
  4. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    I would maintain my position and refuse to marry homosexuals. If I was then fired I would find another job.
     
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    I am serious.
     
  6. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    I would refuse as well, and I would fight it (saying my religious beliefs prohibit me from doing it.)

    Salty, I fear this situation for "town clerks" will soon spread to churches, pastors, caterers, florists, photographers, and other businesses who employ Christians. It may already affect landlords who do not wish to rent to homose*ual couples. It might be that the "town clerk" position could set a precident for others. . .
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Matt, ABC; If fired, would you go to court?
    ABC, what you said must be considered


    The more I think about this, for years the court has give liberal interpretations to those of the right to practice their religion. Click to see this link:
    From the link: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of l964 (“Title VII”) prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, and other terms and conditions of employment. Title VII also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee or prospective employee, unless to do so would create an undue hardship upon the employer. This means that: (see link above for remainder)

    I would trust some county clerk would take this to court. Under previous rulings I would think a clerk could not be made to issue a license, rather the town would have to provide another person who would be able to.

    Thoughts?
     
    #7 Salty, Jun 26, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 26, 2011
  8. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    In a case like this where a precidence could be set, yes, I would be willing to go to court if the ACLJ would back my case. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to afford the court costs. I do not believe we Christians should just shrug our shoulders and not fight this. That's what they're hoping we'll do.
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Lets send a letter to the ACLJ and alert them - and get some info
     
  10. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Not to nit pic but issuing a piece of paper is not the same as doing a wedding. Might well be deemed different by a court = okay to say no to doing the ceremony, but must do the job of issuing the paper.
     
  11. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Agreed :thumbs:
     
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I can understand your point - but it may end up being decided by a court. Many times the court has ruled in favor of the employee
     
  13. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I would process the paperwork, but I wouldn't perform a ceremony.
     
  14. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I would hand the doctor the scalper, but I would not preform the abortion.

    Is there a similarity?
     
  15. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    There is a major difference here. One is participating in murder. Another is the processing of an application. The application doesn't cause same-sex relationships. The abortion causes death.
     
  16. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    No there isn't a difference. Each enables sin.
     
  17. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    If you were a truck driver and picked up a load of booze would delivering it be enabling sin? A load of condoms?
     
  18. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't pick up and deliver those things.
     
  19. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    But is getting legal documentation really sinful? The relationship is sinful, but it is necessarily more "sinful" to have a legal "marriage" than not to have one?
     
  20. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Yet you pay taxes that support any number of evil things.

    Enabling much?
     
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