Republican legislators in Iowa are proposing a major addition to the state constitution that would ban gay marriage in the state.
The resolution, which was introduced by eight Republican lawmakers, reads, “In accordance with the laws of nature and nature’s God, the state of Iowa recognizes the definition of marriage to be the solemnized union between one human biological male and one human biological female.”
If the law is passed, it would pose a direct challenge to the federal government’s recognition of same-sex marriage in the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case of 2015 and last fall’s “Respect for Marriage Act.”
Naturally, the Democrats have been quick to come out and condemn this resolution as “disgusting” and “backward,” according to NBC News.
However, even if this resolution did not succeed in becoming law, according to NBC, in a separate filing, eight Republican legislators, six of whom signed the other resolution, would protect the rights of citizens and organizations to refuse to recognize same-sex marriage on religious grounds.
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The text of the bill, H.F. 508, explicitly states, “no resident of Iowa shall be compelled, coerced, or forced to recognize any same-sex unions or ceremonies as marriage, notwithstanding any laws to the contrary that may exist in other states, and no legal action, criminal or civil, shall be taken against citizens in Iowa for refusal or failure to recognize or participate in same-sex unions or ceremonies.”
It also declares certain parts of the “Respect for Marriage Act” to be “null and void” in Iowa, as it violates the religious freedom of citizens.
Naturally, either resolution, if passed, would cause a political and cultural firestorm in the nation, and many other states would feel emboldened to pass similar laws either banning same-sex marriage or protecting the religious freedom of citizens.
It is wonderful to hear that lawmakers in Iowa are considering passing these laws. These resolutions recognize the Scriptural truth that marriage is between one man and one woman or at least recognize that citizens have a right to hold to the biblical view of marriage.
Should Iowa pass its same-sex marriage bill?
Yes: 93% (14 Votes)
No: 7% (1 Votes)
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