Written by Don Byrd
Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee, President Obama yesterday said that religious freedom rights should not be used as a means to deny constitutional rights to others.
USAToday reports:
“We affirm that we cherish our religious freedom and are profoundly respectful of religious traditions,” Obama said at a Democratic National Committee LGBT gala Sunday in New York City.
“But,” he added, “we also have to say clearly that our religious freedom doesn’t grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights.”
The President did not mention specifically the controversy surrounding Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis, who was jailed for several days for contempt of court for refusing to allow her office to issue marriage licenses, citing her religious objection to same-sex marriage. Instead, his remarks broadly address the issue of the limits of religious freedom.
His statement also does not address the more complicated issue of whether a religious accommodation for individual clerks is warranted if other provisions are made allowing those entitled to a license to receive one without delay. Some states have modified their marriage license procedures to accommodate individual clerks with objections, though Kentucky is not yet one.
