Let me tell how much I deplore the fact that religion seems to becoming more and more of a political issue when it should be less and less.

(L-R) Danielle Wheeler, holding a sign supporting same sex marriage; fellow Morehead University student Darbi Hardin, shading herself from the sun under the Pride Flag; and Spencer McComas protest outside the Rowan County Courthouse
(L-R) Danielle Wheeler, holding a sign supporting same sex marriage; fellow Morehead University student Darbi Hardin, shading herself from the sun under the Pride Flag; and Spencer McComas protest outside the Rowan County Courthouse ( Ty Wright/Getty Images)
loading...

To me religion is personal and whether one is a devout follower or totally without any beliefs has nothing to do with their ability to lead whether it be their local town or this country.  Let’s be honest there are way too many who profess strong religious ties and make their weekly church visits and yet live their lives as total hypocrites. 

Just because they appear religious on the outside doesn’t make them any more spiritual then the person who does so in private and like’s to keep their beliefs to themselves.

Yet here we are in midst of Presidential election season and religion is front and center because of a repulsive woman from Kentucky by the name of Kim Davis who just happens to be the Rowan County Clerk. There is no reason to go through the background because you know the deal: she spent five days in jail because she refused to approve marriage licenses to same-sex couples. 

What is sickening to me is the so-called celebration that took place when she was released this week.  Instead of being shamed for her actions, Davis was treated like a hero by her attorneys, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and some 3,000 supporters. 

 

Rowan County Clerk of Courts Kim Davis (R) stands with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (L) in front of the Carter County Detention Center
Rowan County Clerk of Courts Kim Davis (R) stands with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (L) in front of the Carter County Detention Center (Ty Wright/Getty Images)
loading...

Like anyone else I totally respect Davis’ right to express her religious views against same-sex marriage but when she took the oath of office nine months ago it came with a responsibility to do her job.  As county clerk she does not “approve” a marriage but simply make sure the paperwork for a license is in order. Nothing else. Of course she’s not a marriage expert as it’s well-documented that at the age of 49 she’s been married four times to three different men.

 Let’s also not make a hero out of her because she went to jail.  That action was ordered after a judge held Davis in contempt for refusing to issue marriage licenses in violation of a federal court order. He even gave her a way out if she simply allowed her deputies to issue the licenses which she refused.  By the way the deputies are now doing so and when Davis returns to work next Monday she has been told not to interfere in any way. 

Of course if her religion is so important what Davis should do is resign her $80,000 job as county clerk, a position that was held by her mother for some 24 years.  After winning an election for the job she told a local newspaper she would follow the statutes of the office to the letter.  Clearly she has not!

 

More From 92.7 WOBM