One State Pushes to Nullify SCOTUS Gay Marriage Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has no power to impose gay ‘marriage’ on the states … according to a new measure introduced by Tennessee legislators that would ignore the court’s decision.

The Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act states that in the state of Tennessee, marriage is between one man and one woman, “regardless of any court decision to the contrary.”

The bill would make a law that “any court decision purporting to strike down natural marriage, including Obergefell v. Hodges, is un-authoritative, void, and of no effect.”

Two Wilson County lawmakers — State Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet and Rep. Mark Pody of Lebanon (both Republicans) — unveiled the bill at a rally at the state capitol before hundreds of cheering voters.  “The Obergefell case is clearly and blatantly an over-step of the Supreme Court’s authority,” said Sen. Beavers.  The legislators also quoted Thomas Jefferson, who said, “Whenever the general government assumes un-delegated powers, its acts are un-authoritative, void, and of no force.”  “It is time that states like Tennessee stand up against the judicial tyranny of which Thomas Jefferson so eloquently warned,” said Rep. Pody.  “This decision defies constitutional authority, and is one of the most glaring examples of judicial activism in U.S. Supreme Court history.”

I’m not privy to knowing the motivation behind this legislation, but I do know that the opinion of five justices … in a clearly split decision … ought not overrule the dominion of states that issue marriage licenses or the will of ‘we the people.’  

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel