Respect for Marriage Act Undercuts Religious Freedom
Timothy Head is the executive director of the “Faith and Freedom Coalition.” He recently wrote about a hidden offensive move from Democrats against religious freedom in America.
Head wrote about the two fundamentally opposed stories that are being told about the “Respect for Marriage Act.” Those in favor of the act say it is a defense of the status quo and there’s nothing to worry about. But this take on it hides the implications of the new legal reality.
Head wrote, “The ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ establishes a ‘private right of action’ for violations of the act. It consciously extends the scope of the existing ‘Defense of Marriage Act’ beyond state action and expands it to any person or entity ‘acting under color of law’ — which could mean any entity receiving federal funding.”
This is not just defending the status quo, it is broadening the legal ramifications to anyone who keeps a traditional understanding of marriage.
A “private right of action” empowers private entities to bring charges against those they believe are infringing on their “right” to gay marriage.
Head wrote, “It’s not a significant leap, legally or conceptually, to assume the generation of a new ‘private right of action’ will entail a new, corresponding realm of implicitly state-condoned legal persecution.”
This act is an offensive move, not a defensive one. The primary result will be increasing the threat of litigation and a muzzle on free speech.
Head is warning those with traditional values concerning marring to pay close attention to legislation that may be around the bend. He said, “Don’t stop reading at the headline. Don’t think that periodic votes are enough to protect your rights and liberties — because right now, they aren’t.”
He believes that one of the most important responsibilities of a free people is well-informed, good-faith participation in the democratic process. So it’s time to rally around good leadership and speak out against injustice. We must not only vote, but organize and educate so people are aware of the hidden implications of new laws.
Head believes that the future of Democracy is at stake.
