Mississippi county clerk resigns over same-sex marriage
A clerk in Grenada county, Mississippi, has resigned rather than issue same-sex marriage licences.
In her resignation later, Linda Barnette said the Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex marriage across the United States: “violates my core values as a Christian.”
She said: “My final authority is the Bible. I cannot in all good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under my name because the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is contrary to God’s plan and purpose for marriage and family. I choose to obey God rather than man.”
In an interview with abc6 news, she said: “I would be the one issuing the licence so it would be like I would be approving of this lifestyle and I do not.
“I just believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, and I stand on that.
“No matter what man says, that’s God’s word and that’s the final authority.”
A local resident Lue Harbin said, according to Towelroad: “I was kind of shocked, I don’t know her personally but I never thought she was that way.
“She’s given marriage licenses to people who have committed adultery and stolen and lied, and when their parents haven’t approved… it’s just crazy the way she’s thinking. That’s her job and she’s not there to judge people.”
Ms Barnette has been a clerk for 24 years. A clerk in Arkansas also resigned this week after 24 years in the role, for the same reason.
Her husband reportedly worked for Billy Graham Ministries, who’s currently head Franklin Graham recently said that the United States would “disintegrate” over same-sex marriage.
