On Sept. 14, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis makes a statement to the media at the front door of the Rowan County Judicial Center in Morehead, Ky. On Oct. 2, the Vatican distanced Pope Francis from Davis, the focal point in the gay marriage debate in the U.S., saying she was one of dozens of people the pope greeted in the U.S. and that their Sept. 24 encounter at the Vatican’s embassy in Washington “should not be considered a form of support of her position.” (Timothy D. Easley, The Associated Press)
Re: “Vatican observers raise questions over clerk’s pope visit,” Oct. 1 news story.
Much has been made recently of Pope Francis’ endorsement of conscientious objection. Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis’ supporters seem to believe that the pope thinks she should keep her job. This represents a woefully deficient understanding of conscientious objection, which has a distinguished history, dating back at least to Socrates drinking the hemlock for corrupting Athenian youth.
Conscientious objection to some rule or law derives its force through getting us to focus on the morality of that law. But it derives its moral force only if the objector is willing to face the consequences of that law, as, for example, did Socrates.
Davis, however, is a consummate hypocrite, wishing to cloak herself in the moral mantle of conscientious objection, while violating the constitutional separation of church and state by maintaining her paid position and using that position to thwart the law to which she objects.
Hugh Petrie, Centennial
This letter was published in the Oct. 6 edition.Governments make laws that govern our everyday affairs, whether personal or business. However, when they pass or make a law that is in contradiction to divine law, those who believe in God have an obligation to follow the laws of God. Our country was founded on the principle of religious freedom that acknowledges our right to worship, not only privately but also openly in public. However, many have now suffered because they dared to exercise that right. Heavy fines are imposed, causing business to shut down, and people are put in jail because they follow the law of God.
So why anyone would be surprised that the pope, the vicar of Christ, would meet with someone whose only desire is to follow divine law? Kim Davis is the public face of our religious convictions, and she has been prosecuted and jailed because of them. Many would say an easy answer is for her to quit her job. That would certainly cleanse our government of believers.
Pablo Salas, Lakewood
This letter was published in the Oct. 6 edition.
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