ROWAN COUNTY, KY, September 4, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – The arrest of Kim Davis has sent shock waves throughout the nation – and a clear message: Christians have no place in the public square, according to Sen. Ted Cruz.
When the deeply religious clerk was hauled off to jail Thursday afternoon, “judicial lawlessness crossed into judicial tyranny,” Cruz said.
Same-sex “marriage” was imposed on the nation by a 5-4 Supreme Court judgment authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy. The arrest of Kim Davis on “contempt of court” charges was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning, a George W. Bush appointment who is the son of former moderate Republican senator and baseball great Jim Bunning of Kentucky.
“Those who are persecuting Kim Davis believe that Christians should not serve in public office,” Cruz said.
His analysis is shared by former Sen. Rick Santorum. He warned, “More and more people of faith will face the penalties Ms. Davis is now encountering if we do not make the necessary accommodations so people can not just worship but live out their faith in their lives.”
Santorum called for passing the First Amendment Defense Act to prevent scenes of clerks being arrested, florists being fined, and bakers being forced out of business.
“This is wrong. This is not America,” said Cruz, who recently hosted a Rally for Religious Liberty that featured many of those whose businesses have suffered for following their faith on the issue of sexuality. “I stand with Kim Davis. Unequivocally.”
“I stand with every American that the Obama administration is trying to force to choose between honoring his or her faith or complying with a lawless court opinion,” Cruz said. “I call upon every believer, every Constitutionalist, every lover of liberty to stand with Kim Davis.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will literally do that, as he hosts an #ImWithKim rally in Kentucky on Tuesday to support Davis.
Cruz joins other Republican presidential candidates who support the Kentucky Christian clerk.
“I think it's absurd to put someone in jail for exercising their religious liberty,” Sen. Paul, R-KY, told CNN on Thursday afternoon. “I think it's a real mistake to be doing this.”
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida agreed, “There should be a way to protect the religious freedom and conscience rights of individuals working in the office.”
However, other candidates disagreed. Chris Christie said on Fox News Sunday that laws should be enforced against Christians who decline to participate in gay “marriages.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham and Carly Fiorina similarly agree Davis should have issued the marriage licenses, regardless of her faith.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted that laws should be enforced, as she shared a story of Davis' arrest on Twitter.
