Posted on 10/23/2014 2:38:18 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A North Carolina county judge resigned on Monday because he did not want to violate his Christian faith and perform same-sex marriages, which are now permitted under the state's law.
With the news that North Carolina's same-sex marriage ban was struck down by a federal judge on Oct. 10, Judge Gilbert Breedlove, a 57-year-old magistrate in Swain County and also an ordained minister, could not, in good faith, be forced to conduct same-sex courthouse weddings when his Christian belief tells him that a marriage is only between a man and a woman.
"It was my only option," Breedlove told Citizen-Times. "We were directed we had to perform the marriages, and that was just something I couldn't do because of my religious beliefs."
Although Breedlove has been a magistrate for the past 24 years, he said the law, which judges are responsible for interpreting, no longer stands with his beliefs.
"I was Christian when I started," Breedlove said. "Then, the law didn't require me to perform something that was against my religious belief. Now that law has changed it's requirements."
Although Breedlove could claim he had two jobs as a pastor and a magistrate, the majority of his income came from his judgeship. However, he said he is not worried about his financial future because he put his full faith in the Lord.
"That's one of the things about being a Christian," Breedlove said. "You are able to serve the Lord and the Lord will provide."
The Bryson City community in which Breedlove served, is located next to a Cherokee Indian reservation and his wife was even raised a Cherokee. Breedlove's affinity for Jesus and Native Americans led him to help translate the Bible into the Choctaw Indian language. Having been a part of the Bible translation effort and being a part-time pastor, Breedlove said he is confident in the biblical truth about marriage.
"The whole Bible from front to end states that a marriage is between a man and a wife," he said. "Any other type of sexual activity other than that is what is defined as fornication."
With previous reports indicating that other North Carolina magistrates have also stepped down due to their objection to the state's new law permitting same-sex marriages, Breedlove said he believes more magistrates will continue stepping down as more same-sex couples look to wed by Christian magistrates. The state has issued over 600 same-sex wedding licenses in 60 of the state's counties.
Last Thursday, a Rockingham County magistrate named John Kallam Jr. issued his resignation and claimed that allowing gay marriage "would desecrate a Holy Institution established by God Himself."
"When I took my oath of office, I understood I would be required to perform weddings and have done so throughout my tenure," Kallam wrote in his resignation letter. "I did not however take that oath with any understanding that I would be required to marry same-sex couples."
Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality North Carolina, a statewide LGBT advocacy group, group said that although the group doesn't want judges to feel like they have to resign if they disapprove of the law, he said they at least be willing to uphold the duties required by law.
"This is part of an effort to hype up a few small cases," Sgro said. "If you hold a job or position that serves the public or the state, then you have to carry out the duties of that job. Hundreds and hundreds of people are being married by employees of the state across North Carolina with no problem."
For debate’s sake is this the first time Caesar’s judge was asked to do something immoral under the judge’s faith? This can’t be all that new. However it certainly looks like, among other things, a campaign to force such judges out of their seats.
Hang on folks, wild ride ahead.
That would be one way to force the difficult-impeachment issue. Though isn’t it true that in most states, the state supreme court does have power to can individual judges.
And I think it is only going to get worse.
So far, these are superficial nuisances compared with the types of persecutions that popped up in the Old World.
As stated in #4 Judges do not get to decide what laws they will and will not follow...they rule based on laws established by the legislature. Yes impeachment is the consequence and resigning was the choice. However forced impeachment (which would have happened) is not a good message to put out there. Look at the judge who failed to follow an order from a higher court demanding the removal of the 10 commandments...where did that get him? Impeached and still the 10 commandments are removed.
Same-sex marriages are not “now permitted under the state’s law.” It’s something that is being forced on the state by a federal judge. There’s no state law allowing for it.
What “laws established by the legislature” are you referring to?
Well, at what level does he have to participate? My understanding is that signing the marriage license is probably enough. All the “to have and to hold” stuff is just for show. Can’t he just check their IDs sign the paper and tell them to get the hell out of his office? If he did that, it should be enough for him to keep his job and discourage them from coming back.
I hate these lies. North Carolina's laws remain unchanged. The only thing that has changed is that a court issued an immoral, unconstitutional, illegal order.
It's past time to stop obeying those kind of orders. They are by every original American definition, null and void.
I think it is a big mistake to resign. Tell them to go to hell, and make them remove you.
Seems you have a very low opinion of our troops. The military is the last bastion of freedom. Do not assume that decisions made by our elected leaders reflect the views of the military as a whole. They may keep quiet and do their jobs; but that does make them mindless minions.
Your lies disgust me and disparage everyone in uniform. Maybe you should look for a Code Pink board or join the Westborough Baptist cult.
Amen.
Seems to me that forcing decent judges to resign is a win for the leftists, too. Better to stay and fight.
I admire any Christian who refuses to go against God’s laws. I often think of Romans 7 and 8. Romans 8 verse 31 is one I rely on. This Judge refused to sell his soul for a paycheck. I would do the same as this life is very very short compared to eternity. I am also reminded of the fact that heaven is much more then we can imagine, have ever seen, heard of, etc. Surely heaven should bethe main reward we focus on by living a just life always seeking the Lord’s guidance.
Multiple references throughout the article to “the state’s new laws” and suchlike.
The Big Lie technique.
And most people, even conservatives, buy right into it.
I was getting ready to say what you said when I noticed your post #2. I agree. Too bad he had no choice. I am sure the left is celebrating.
I feel the same and it hurts to watch and know that everything this nation was built on has been thrown or is being thrown away or banned. Our founding fathers have to be saddened.
On 6-26-13 SCOTUS ruled that key provisions under DOMA as unconstitutional and in turn many state legislatures have overturned similiar laws across their states. As such it is required in these states that judges rule on established laws within their states....yes despicable but it is as it is....change it at the legislative level
That is what is called anarchy and as unpopular as some laws or in this case decisions are judges are not afforded that opportunity....our side (and rightly so) would call that judicial activism.
Another example of how the left is replacing all positions in government with Evil people.
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