Persuasive Essay On Same Sex Marriage

How would you feel if you were denied the right to marry the one you love because of the religious beliefs of another? Kim Davis, the county clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky, was arrested after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Against a Supreme Court decision, she continued to withhold issuing the marriage licenses, leading to her arrest for contempt of court. The Supreme Court decision took place in June, ruling that same-sex couples can marry nationwide and that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. Her refusal was strongly fueled by her Christian beliefs that oppose the right to same-sex marriage, even though some major political figures including the current Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, who recently visited Davis …show more content…
The Amendment clearly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (US Constitution), expressing the right to the free exercise of religion, as well as the freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the right to peaceably assemble. The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that marriage equality is legal under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. As a county clerk, Kim Davis has a social duty to issue same-sex marriage licenses and is prohibited from refusing to comply with the state law that legalizes same-sex marriage. She should not be exempted from issuing these marriage licenses strictly by her personal religious beliefs because they neglect the rights of others. However, she does have to option to resign so she is not required to follow these …show more content…
After the Supreme Court’s ruling, under the Fourteenth Amendment, all Americans have the right to marry a same-sex partner, regardless another’s opinion. While every person has the right to the freedom of speech to voice their opinion on same-sex marriage, the right to freely exercise religion does not permit the violation of another’s right to marry. Although the act of going against their beliefs may be disconcerting, their acceptance and compliance can benefit their country and community, as well as themselves. While a separation of church and state does ensure the free exercise of religion, the governance of state should be deemed more essential and vital over religious purpose. Everyone should have the right to marry who they want to, regardless of their gender, and an individual should not deny their right for any reason, given that deep religious beliefs are no exception. A person’s right to marry should be left to the individual 's choice, not the religious beliefs of