Following last week’s SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage, questions with respect to its impact on religious institutions who preach and practice the tradition of marriage being solely between one man and one woman have been raised.
Most rational people understand that while same-sex marriage is now a protected status and is the law of the land, what happens to religious freedom in its wake is now uncharted waters. Please note I wrote, “rational.”
In very measured words, House Speaker William Howell on the Obergefell v. Hodges decision appears very clear and pragmatic:
“I have been a longtime supporter of traditional marriage and am naturally disappointed by today’s Supreme Court ruling. However, our nation is governed by the rule of law and we must respect the authority of the Court.
“Moving forward, it is paramount that the religious liberties of all Virginians be respected. While we must and will abide by the law, we must also ensure that the God-given and Constitutionally-guaranteed right to the free exercise of religion is not diminished in light of this ruling. The House of Delegates will fight to uphold this principle.
“While many are understandably disappointed, I expect Virginia will fully comply with today’s ruling. While no immediate action is necessary, Senate Majority Leader Norment and I are sending today a letter to the Virginia Code Commission asking to evaluate what, if any, future changes will be necessary to bring the Code of Virginia into compliance with the Court’s ruling.”
In other words, the GOP states that it
1) Respects the rule of law
2) Respects freedom of religion and wants to ensure its continued free exercise. And,
3) Has asked the Virginia Code Commission whether the legislature needs to change any of our laws
Forward looking, no? Trying to be proactive and stay-ahead of a situation before it becomes a problem?
Del. Todd Gilbert took point number two a step further by saying that protecting religious liberty would be a “primary focus next year”, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
In fact, protecting religious freedom has always been a “primary focus” for Virginians – guaranteed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights drafted by George Mason and the Bill of Rights drafted by James Madison.
After reading the statements of Howell and Gilbert, it’s hard to know exactly how Democrats could have been offended, but they managed to twist themselves into convulsions over the issue before anything has even been proposed other than, “Hey, let’s look at what we have on the books!”
“While Virginia Democrats are focused on creating jobs, Republicans have admitted that their top legislative priority is discriminating against people,” said Democratic Party of Virginia chairwoman Susan Swecker to RTD.
Huh? Since when is preserving religious liberty a form of discrimination?
“Focusing on Indiana-style discrimination laws instead of growing our economy is irresponsible, dangerous and hopelessly out of touch.”
First of all, Virginia enacted in 1786 the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom of which the Indiana legislation was based. So, Swecker might want to crack open a history book.
Second, what, exactly, is same sex marriage? Is that not a social issue? Virginia voters passed the now-defunct marriage amendment in 2006 and it’s been liberals and the courts pushing their agenda ever since.
Piling on, Morgan Finkelstein, DPVA’s press secretary, spins the story as follows:
“Yes, the primary focus. Not creating jobs. Not improving transportation. Not insuring 400,000 Virginians without healthcare. Republicans in the General Assembly are so out-of-touch, they believe Virginians want one thing above all else: discrimination against LGBT people.
“Seriously.”
“Seriously?” That’s the best you can come up with? I guess that’s what passes for an Ivy League education (UPENN) these days.
In Finkelstein’s defense, she is a Floridian and spent her formative years in the Obama administration, so she doesn’t have any grasp of even recent Virginia history.
She probably doesn’t realize that it was a Republican administration that had Virginia in the top 3 as a state for business for years, but that ranking has been plummeting ever since under Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe. And that it was the Republicans who passed the first comprehensive transportation legislation in decades (enough to tick off fiscal libertarians and be a harbinger of nomination contests). Or that Republicans have been passing targeted health care reforms without putting the state on the hook for billions of dollars in new spending and taxes.
For what it’s worth, I did request a comment from DPVA to clarify their comments and there was no acknowledgement.
Of course, while Swecker & Co. try to raise the DPVA’s visibility (you’re welcome), it’s House Minority Leader David Toscano who really takes the cake.
He tells RTD,
“There are some people that are scared that the sky is going to fall and all our liberties are going to be taken away, and I will speak loudly and clearly against any notion that we are going to compromise religious liberty or freedom.”
So, what? We’re supposed to take his word for it?
While I don’t doubt his sincerity, given the ability of the courts to twist what would appear to be very specific language, I don’t think conservatives are in the mood to accept “trust me” from the leader of the Democratic party in the House.
But back to Gilbert. How does he respond to this swift reaction by Democrats to what was a seemingly benign recommendation to look at Virginia code and ensure the right to worship and practice one’s faith is preserved?
“The hostility coming from Virginia Democrats at even the faintest notion of protecting religious liberty is proof positive of the need to protect people of faith,” he said. “While Virginia Democrats decry discrimination toward some, they obviously have no problem shouting down and shutting down religious people attempting to conduct themselves in the public square.”
“I would think that protecting the most basic of our American freedoms is something everyone could get behind, but clearly the Democratic Party of Virginia is intent on proving me wrong.”
Through this entire exchange (including the lack of a response), two things are clear: Democrats do not identify specific GOP proposals that have been submitted that discriminate against people (they merely insinuate that they will) and, more importantly, they have no plans to ensure the protection of religious liberty or a religious institution’s tax-exempt status other than “take my word for it.”
Apparently religious freedom isn’t as important in Virginia anymore – at least among Democrats.
