Russell Simmons
By Michael Gryboski
A judge has ruled that Tennessee’s constitutional amendment banning legal recognition of same-sex marriage is legal, breaking a streak of judicial losses for the traditional marriage side.
Circuit Court Judge Russell E. Simmons Jr. ruled last week against the claim that the state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
In his decision, Simmons cited the 1972 case Baker v. Nelson, a lesser known decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court, arguing that gay marriage is not a fundamental right.
“Baker holds that a state’s law on same-sex marriage does not violate the equal protection or substantive due process rights under the United States Constitution,” wrote Simmons in his memorandum opinion.
“Although the United States Supreme Court has had opportunities to overrule the Baker decision, it has refused to take that position even in the decision on which the plaintiff relies, which is United States v. Windsor.”
11 Comments. Leave new
This is only a temporary victory. The country has reached a turning point on this issue, and national legalization of same-sex “marriage” is not a question of if, but when. The next serious issue is how far society will go in ostracizing those of us whose religious views compel us to hold to the Scriptural definition of marriage.
It might depend on how rude you are, such as when you put scare quotes around the word marriage in a fit of ill mannered adolescent pique. Manners matter Don, and the reputation, actions and words of conservative Christians who believe their worldview should be law for everyone, insulting them as they do so, is no small part of why the tide has turned.
If things have changed, and they have, your very words indict you as a reason why the change has been so readily accepted.
‘how far will society go’, i think you know the answer Don. the only question outstanding is when do we head for the hills.
Guest asks: “when do we head for the hills?” …and what are we supposed to do if we already live in the hills?
You assume much, and your assumptions seem to have prompted feelings of hatred in my direction. I don’t reciprocate those feelings. God bless you.
if you have no idea what i’m talking about, may God help you, it’s all over the internet.
Being insulted by an insult in not feeling hatred. Pity (yes, pity) and disdain, yes. Hatred? No.
I assume nothing.
why would I assume? You gave me your own words. I merely read what you wrote for all to see. Manners matter, and the lack of them say so much. That’s not an assumption. That is observation.
God bless you also
‘how far will society go’, i think you know the answer Don. the only question outstanding is when do we head for the hills.”
We do not head for the hills, we head to preach and teach the Word, not run, but put on the whole armor of God, Ephesians 6, and the ruling of, ” In his decision, Simmons cited the 1972 case Baker v. Nelson, a lesser known decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court, arguing that gay marriage is not a fundamental right.” This is correct.
Not hatred. Just pity, and disdain.
Thank you for the correction, and the blessing.
i respectfully disagree. speaking as a relatively defenseless woman, and having been single all my life, i am sadly well aware of the depths of darkness and depravity men can fall to. just look at the middle east to see where all this is headed. angry men tend to target the weakest, women and children. and look at the domestic violence and murder statistics in the US if you’re interested. to all you men who plan to stay behind and fight on the front lines, i wish you only best wishes for success with your efforts. i was there when everything hit the fan after 9-11 in Manhattan, was living three blocks from Grand Central Station at the time, worked about seven blocks from the World Trade Center. even my best friend got on a bicycle and left town, was nowhere to be found. it was every man woman and child for themselves. politicians were busy telling all of us to get back to work, in toxic fumes, other than that i know of zero ‘assistance’. if it hits the fan again i don’t want to be anywhere near a major city.
Civil Union’s across the board, leave marriage to the churches. God will judge accordingly.