Entire Staff of Tennessee County Clerk’s Office Resigns Over Supreme Court ‘Gay Marriage’ Ruling
DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. — The entire staff of a county clerk’s office in Tennessee has resigned following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling declaring that all 50 states must legalize same-sex “marriage.”Three women who work at the Decatur County office announced their resignations this past week, which will be effective July 14. Clerk Gwen Pope, and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler all have decided to leave their jobs because of their Christian convictions.
“It’s kind of sort of like you don’t want to draw attention to yourself for any reason,” Pope told local television station WBIR, stating that she never sought press over the matter. “That’s not why we’re doing this. Not doing it in any way to draw attention to us. It’s for the glory of God. He’s going to get all the glory.”
The outlet states that a number of area residents called or visited the office on Thursday to express their support of the women.
“These three ladies stood upon their beliefs and they stood upon their morals and no one can fault them,” resident Scott King said. “Too often we as Christians don’t do that. It’s time we followed the lead of what they showed us.”
Commissioner David Boroughs also backed the decision.
“That’s a personal individual decision, but I strongly support them if their faith is that strong,” he said. “I’m proud of them that their faith is so strong and well-rounded that they feel they can do that.”
According to the Associated Press, all Tennessee counties except Decatur County are issuing licenses to same-sex twosomes.
While some believe that stepping down is the right move in such cases, as previously reported, an attorney who works with Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore urged Christian clerks within his state to stay and fight.
“[W]ill your conscience cause you to resign?” Win Johnson wrote in a letter issued to public officials throughout Alabama. “Why would you leave the people of this state, their children, your children and grandchildren to the wolves, those who would rend the society apart with their denial of what’s good and evil?”
“Your duty is to stand against the ravages of a superior authority that would go beyond its rightful power and force upon the people something evil,” he continued. “That’s what the founders of our country did when Parliament exceeded its powers. That’s what the Puritans in civil government in the 1600’s did when the King exceeded his powers.”
Johnson said that the proper response would be to just say no.
“You have authority as an elected official. You also are sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Alabama Constitution,” he wrote. “Don’t acquiesce to the takeover (actually the takedown)! Use your authority and every legal angle to oppose the tyrants! If necessary, just say ‘No.’ It is not rebellion for you to say, ‘Your interpretation of the Constitution is wrong, beyond your authority, and detrimental to this nation.’ In fact, it’s your duty. You’re not opposing the rule of law, you’re upholding it by saying that.”