HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Cruz, R-Texas, today released the following statement regarding the arrest of Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis:
“Today, judicial lawlessness crossed into judicial tyranny. Today, for the first time ever, the government arrested a Christian woman for living according to her faith. This is wrong. This is not America.
“I stand with Kim Davis. Unequivocally. I stand with every American that the Obama Administration is trying to force to choose between honoring his or her faith or complying with a lawless court opinion.
“In dissent, Chief Justice Roberts rightly observed that the Court’s marriage opinion has nothing to do with the Constitution. Justice Scalia observed that the Court’s opinion was so contrary to law that state and local officials would choose to defy it.
“For every politician — Democrat and Republican — who is tut-tutting that Davis must resign, they are defending a hypocritical standard. Where is the call for the mayor of San Francisco to resign for creating a sanctuary city — resulting in the murder of American citizens by criminal illegal aliens welcomed by his lawlessness?
“Where is the call for President Obama to resign for ignoring and defying our immigration laws, our welfare reform laws, and even his own Obamacare?
“When the mayor of San Francisco and President Obama resign, then we can talk about Kim Davis.
“Those who are persecuting Kim Davis believe that Christians should not serve in public office. That is the consequence of their position. Or, if Christians do serve in public office, they must disregard their religious faith–or be sent to jail.
“Kim Davis should not be in jail. We are a country founded on Judeo-Christian values, founded by those fleeing religious oppression and seeking a land where we could worship God and live according to our faith, without being imprisoned for doing so.
“I call upon every Believer, every Constitutionalist, every lover of liberty to stand with Kim Davis. Stop the persecution now.”
It is difficult to know where to start with this missive from Mr. Cruz. I suppose perhaps by stating that there was no "judicial lawlessness" or "judicial tyranny" involved in the treatment of Kim Davis. She was not jail for following her Christian faith. She was jailed for failing to follow a decision made by the United States Supreme Court. She was jailed for not upholding the Constitution she vowed to obey. She may follow her faith as she pleases. She may not behave in ways that force those beliefs on others. Mr. Cruz goes on to say that "... the Obama Administration is trying to force to choose between honoring his or her faith or complying with a lawless court opinion." First the decision allowing gay marriage was made by the Supreme Court as was the dismissal of Ms. Davis appeal. The court was doing its job. The court is not ruled by President Obama and five of the nine justices were appointed by Republican presidents.
Mr. Cruz also states: "Those who are persecuting Kim Davis believe that Christiabs should not serve in public office." While Mr. Cruz uses that statement to pander to the religious right the truth is that is not what is happening. The United States has a secular government with a citizenry made up of many religions and cultures. The government should not and cannot be seen favoring one religious group over another. Evangelicals are claiming persecution when what is actually happening is something quite different. They are not being allowed preferential treatment. Persecution is what is happening in the Middle East. Christians are being removed from their homes and threatened with death if the fail to convert to Islam. Some who have refused have been murdered. THAT IS PERSECUTION!!! Not getting your way, failing to obey the law and going to jail as a result are not. I find it interesting that so many conservatives claim loudly and often that they don't want government in their lives. They want less regulation. Well unless those rules are going to impose something they believe on everyone else.
Thank you Cory Booker. It is about love and tolerance. Something we see too little of these days. Kim Davis and Ted Cruz are free to believe whatever they want. They cross the line when they want to use government office, authority or power to force those religious beliefs on anyone else.
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