RELIGION: Officials can't deny citizens' legal rights

A government official, whether elected or not, cannot impose his or her religious views on members of the public and refuse government benefits to someone based upon that official’s personal religious views.

Could a public school principal refuse to educate girls if his religious views forbid the education of women? Could a licensing official refuse to issue drivers licenses to women if his religious views forbid women to drive? What about denying hunting licenses or licenses to carry concealed weapons if that governmental official’s religious beliefs forbid all killing?

Our founding fathers did not create a theocracy. They created a Constitution which governmental officials take an oath to protect. It is the job of the federal courts to interpret the Constitution. The courts have done their job. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that gay people, just like straight people, have the right to get married under the Constitution.

If a government official believes she cannot protect the rights of gay people, or anybody, because of her personal religious beliefs, she should step down or step aside.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 12:44 PM with the headline "RELIGION: Officials can't deny citizens' legal rights."