Your help needed in overriding the Governor’s Veto on Senate Bill 2
Christian Action League
June 8, 2015
Religious liberty is at a tipping point in North Carolina. Since same-sex marriage was forced upon our state by the egregious rulings of federal courts, the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) sent a directive to magistrates and register of deeds ordering them to treat same-sex marriages the same as heterosexual or they could face suspension, firing, and criminal prosecution. That precipitated the resignation of a number of magistrates who held sincere religious objections to performing same-sex civil ceremonies.
SB 2 – Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies is legislation that would allow magistrates and register of deeds to opt-out of the performance of same-sex marriages, if it violates their faith. Nevertheless, it also requires all qualified applicants seeking to be married are issued a license and that marriages performed by a magistrate are available to be performed during at least ten hours per week over at least three business days.
Much to our shock, Governor Pat McCrory vetoed this common sense bill.
The governor must be listening to the wrong voices on this measure. The bill simply provides a religious accommodation that creates a delicate balance between a magistrates’ and register of deeds’ religious liberty rights with the current law on marriage. Magistrates and Register of Deeds under the new law would not be violating their oath, nor would they be picking and choosing who they serve because it requires them to recuse themselves from the performance of ALL marriages. The legislation works to protect their jobs and shield them from disciplinary action or prosecution.
Read Dr. Mark Creech’s editorial, “Wanted: True Friends of Religious Liberty”
The North Carolina Senate has voted (32-16) to override the Governor’s veto. The state House is set to do the same, but the vote is much closer in the House. The vote for the bill in the House chamber was 67-43, but 72 votes are needed to override the Governor’s veto.
Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League said, “What makes SB 2 so critical is the magistrates are the first test case of the infringement of religious freedoms in North Carolina since same-sex marriage was legalized. If this legislation fails, I have grave concerns that we may hope for broader legislation to cover other people who need similar protections. It is imperative the Governor’s veto is overcome.”
Take Christian Action:
Please contact your Representative in the N.C. House, and ask him or her to stand-up for religious liberty by voting to override the Governor’s veto of SB 2- Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies.
Note: Sending an email is good, but making a phone call is much more effective. Please make a phone call to your state Representative. If you don’t get to speak directly with your Representative, be sure to leave a message with his/her legislative assistant stating that you are a constituent, and leaving your name and place of residence
If you do not know who represents you in the N.C. House, go to WRAL’s Find Your Lawmakers and type in your address. Remember: You are looking for your Representative in the N.C. House.
We are at a tipping point for religious liberty in our state, your help is desperately need NOW!!!!!!!