Justice of the Peace refuses to marry mixed-race couple

**The wirerat** · 10-16-2009, 01:15 PM

This guy's reasons are absolutely ridiculous.
Anger at US mixed marriage 'ban'

OiBoyz · 10-16-2009, 01:18 PM

Sigh. You'd think this stuff would go away eventually. I guess hate never goes out of season, huh?

**bravesfan007** · 10-16-2009, 02:27 PM

*Deleted because of my ignorance and dumb oversight.*

**slap_j** · 10-16-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravesfan007

Maybe it was a religious reason in the same way that some doctors refuse to perform abortions.

The difference is that a JP works for the government. Doctors usually do not. There is no good reason not to compel this JP to marry interracial couples.

JerryLove · 10-16-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravesfan007

Regardless of his reasoning for not marrying them, I do not think that he should be forced to marry them. Maybe it was a religious reason in the same way that some doctors refuse to perform abortions.

My [hypothetical] brother the cop saw someone getting beaten to death the other day... but it was a man killing his wife, and he has a religious proscription against getting involved in marital affairs... so I don't think should be force to stop or report the murder just cause he's a cop.

nolidad · 10-16-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap_j

The difference is that a JP works for the government. Doctors usually do not. There is no good reason not to compel this JP to marry interracial couples.

You are right. Whenyou become an employee of the govt. you are bound to obey the rules of the position- if conscience forbidds then you must find a new job.

JerryLove · 10-16-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolidad

You are right. Whenyou become an employee of the govt. you are bound to obey the rules of the position- if conscience forbidds then you must find a new job.

I agree with you again. That's a second trumpet I believe.

**Role Modlin** · 10-16-2009, 03:08 PM

His argument that interracial marriages fail doesn't stand up when you consider that over 50% of all marriages fail. Given that statistic...he shouldn't issue any marriage licenses.

Bryan · 10-16-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravesfan007

Though I do not agree with racism and that is what was probably ultimately driving this man, I feel that if he was forced to marry them we are in for a lot bigger things. I mean, at least his wife referred them to another Justice of the Peace who would be willing to marry them. Regardless of his reasoning for not marrying them, I do not think that he should be forced to marry them. Maybe it was a religious reason in the same way that some doctors refuse to perform abortions. I see a problem with having this much governmental regulation. As my fiance and I are going through counseling with out pastor, he refuses to marry a couple or are not Christians. He will not stand before God asking him to bless a relationship when he knows that is wrong.

He is an elected official and representing the local government. He should not be able to deny a marriage license for religious regions. I am fine if a church or private group not wedding someone for religious reasons or other principles.

OiBoyz · 10-16-2009, 03:16 PM

I love that he's not bigoted. Gosh, he even lets them use his bathroom!

My mother always said she didn't want me or my sisters dating one of "them" because "the children wouldn't be accepted." Well, of course not with that outdated attitude. And I mean outdated by about 2000 years.

**Skeeter** · 10-16-2009, 03:18 PM

That honestly makes me sick to my stomach. My best friend is black and his wife is white and he's told me about some of the looks and comments they have received and it makes me angry. It's idiotic.

JerryLove · 10-16-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

That honestly makes me sick to my stomach. My best friend is black and his wife is white and he's told me about some of the looks and comments they have received and it makes me angry. It's idiotic.

My best friend is black and his wife white as well. An interesting statistic he cited to me was that 70% of black-white interracial couples had that gender/race mix.

I do wonder if it should also be seen as racism to date someone *because* they are a different race.

Bryan · 11-03-2009, 11:13 PM

and now the judge has resigned:

BBC NEWS | Americas | US judge in mixed-race row quits

**adamwagg** · 11-04-2009, 04:28 AM

His attitude is wrong, but regardless of whether its right or wrong, if you work for an employer and they instruct you to do something legal which you believe is wrong, your only options are to resign or suck it up and do it. So he was right to resign, and should have done so earlier.

Of course that doesn't stop him being racist, but does solve the immediate issue.

scarlet.starlet · 11-04-2009, 04:51 PM

I just think it's so absurd. Scientifically, race doesn't even exist. Our skins have different levels of pigmentation, but there's no actual DNA encoding for race. And besides, everyone is mixed in America. I'm sure the JP was not entirely German or entirely Swedish or entirely Irish. We're a nation of immigrants and we are blended accordingly.