(Photo: Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)A wedding cake is seen at a reception for same-sex couples at The Abbey in West Hollywood, California, July 1, 2013.
Posted on 03/17/2018 7:44:39 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
(Photo: Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)A wedding cake is seen at a reception for same-sex couples at The Abbey in West Hollywood, California, July 1, 2013.
An evangelical judge who has refused to marry same-sex couples was handed down a three-year suspension without pay Thursday by the Oregon Supreme Court, the longest suspension in the court's history.
Judge Vance Day, who was found to have broken several gun laws, and in 2014 refused to marry same-sex couples, will have 14 days to file a petition for the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.
One of the main charges that Day was found guilty of concerned granting a gun to a felon who was on probation while Day served as judge at a special court for veterans.
The court also ruled that Day had acted with prejudice against same-sex couples after he allegedly instructed staff at his office to say that he was unavailable for same-sex marriage requests, while heterosexual couples had their weddings scheduled.
Phil Lemman, a spokesman for the Oregon Judicial Department, said the three-year suspension is the longest in the court's history, according to The Associated Press.
Day's lawyers have said that the judge has made mistakes when it comes to firearms but argued that the deeper reason for the trial is his religious beliefs.
"Our belief is he's being targeted for his Christian beliefs," said Ralph Spooner, one of Day's attorneys, on OPB.org.
"In our society, it's perfectly fine to test these legal principals," he added, "but I think whether you're a Christian, a Muslim — whatever your faith is — that doesn't disqualify you from being a judge."
While an ethics commission called for Day to be removed from office in 2016, Janet Schroer, another one of his attorneys, said that such a move would go too far.
"The court's suspension overlooks the fact that during the brief time Judge Day discretely declined to perform same-sex marriages, the Oregon Constitution prohibited same-sex marriage by referendum of the people," Schroer explained. "And it wasn't until a year later the U.S. Supreme Court ruled conclusively, determining that the U.S. Constitution prohibits Oregon's ban on same-sex marriages."
The court wrote in its opinion: "(Day) acted dishonestly and for his own self-benefit. Those aspects of (Day's) misconduct suggested that he was not trustworthy; negatively affected his ability to serve in a court system that foundationally depends on truthful statements; and undermined the integrity of the judiciary and (Day's) character as a judge.
"He indisputably communicated to his staff his intention to treat same-sex couples differently from opposite-sex couples," the court said this week.
Day had announced in 2015 that he would stop performing marriages altogether. He told the Statesman Journal at the time that he was mounting a legal defense, arguing that his First Amendments rights to freedom of religion and speech would be breached if he was forced to marry same-sex couples.
"I don't believe that by taking the oath as a judge, that I somehow set aside my First Amendment civil liberties and that, as a judge, I'm a lesser species of protection," he said at the time.
Like the Soviet way of dealing with “dissidents.”
I do not agree with homosexual marriage.
That said. I don’t believe it is the business of the state to usurp a religious sacrament. Is the question is not should the state sanction a Homarriage? The question is, What business does the state have conducting any marriage?
If I were a pastor or priest of any branch of Christianity I would refuse to marry any couple that had gotten a marriage license. I’d refuse to perform ANY legal marriages.
Marriage is a covenant between two people and God, not two people God and the state.
1) None of our judges are Christian
2) None of our soldiers are Christian
The Russians aren’t the problem. Large portions of America are the problem.
That’s nice and thanks for your opinion. But the issue is that Leftist/deviant government are crushing dissent.
Suppose we can stay on topic?
So we will leave him in his position of authority and refuse to pay him for three years and hopes this makes him make more sound judicial decisions!!!!?
Especially the West Coast!
If we cant tax ALL your activities we will declare them illegal and throw you in jail!
On topic - It was part of his job description. He should have resigned when the law was passed if he could not in good conscience do the job.
I forgot to say that but the two go together IMO.
May we all live long enough to once again see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Check with communists Nations around the world. There isn’t a big government elite on the planet that likes competition from people who bow down to the true God, and NOT some Maddog in a position of political dominance.
Should have resigned””. You kiddin. He should do the right thing. Just because some tyrant pronounces a new law, has nothing to do with what is right or true. You need a better education.
Feed them to the lions!
‘He should have resigned when the law was passed if he could not in good conscience do the job.’
agreed; but ‘the law is a ass’, as Mr. Bumble the beadle would say...
If you would like more information about what's happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me.
Christianity must be extinguished in order to facilitate a world ruling elite. It is a sickening and disturbing state of affairs Donna. Jesus help us.
Let's pray for revival for them all.
I hear you sister.
Great idea. Just have all the moral and principaled judges quit and leave the field for the perverts.
Happy you’re not in charge.
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