Popular Press
Same Sex Marriage, the Rule of Law, and the Absence of Religious Objectors in Utah: the Lesson the LDS Church Learned from Polygamy
Hamilton and Griffin on Rights
(2015)
Abstract
Since a Utah federal judge recognized marriage equality in Utah, there have been no public officials asserting “religious liberty” as a reason to refuse government services to same sex couples. This lack of resistance, especially given the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ very public support of Proposition 8 and subsequent advocacy against the recognition of same sex marriages, may be surprising. On the face of it, two laws passed in March 2015, the “Utah Compromise”, may explain the absence of legal battles over public officials asserting their personal religious beliefs to deny marriage rights to same sex couples. Nonetheless, the Church’s incorporation of obedience to the rule of law as a central tenet and the lessons it learned from polygamy better explain the absence of Kim Davis-like objectors in Utah.
Disciplines
Publication Date
September 21, 2015
Citation Information
Angela D. Morrison. "Same Sex Marriage, the Rule of Law, and the Absence of Religious Objectors in Utah: the Lesson the LDS Church Learned from Polygamy" Hamilton and Griffin on Rights (2015) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/angela_morrison/51/