Antigay Tennessee Lawmakers Vote to Ask for God's Mercy, Condemn Marriage Equality

Tonight's commission meeting at the county courthouse in Blount County, Tenn. will feature a vote on a resolution asking God to "pass us by in His Coming Wrath and not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah." The resolution, to be heard at 6:30pm, is authored by Commissioner Karen Miller.

In part, Miller asks officials including Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to "utilize all authority within their power to protect Natural Marriage, from lawless court opinions, AND THE financial schemes of the enemies of righteousness wherever the source AND defend the Moral Standards of Tennessee."

The measure is opposed by both the Tennessee Equality Project and PFLAG Maryville as well as outspoken LGBT citizens and allies.

Brett Rich, a gay resident of the county, told The Daily Times that the resolution is ridiculous and demeaning: "I find the wording of their resolution to be a very sad form of intolerance from our government," he told the newspaper. "My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary, on Sept. 1, by finally having the opportunity to be legally married. We work, raise our niece, pay taxes, support local charities, vote in the elections, mow our yard, purchase groceries, etc. We are the same as any other couple and are very proud that our government finally has to recognize our marriage: giving us the same rights as every other Blount County citizen."

The full text of the resolution reads:

RESOLUTION No. 15-10-006

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING JUDICIAL TYRANNY AND PETITIONING GOD'S MERCY

Whereas, the Governor, Attorney General, and ALL WE Blount County Legislators have sworn an oath consistent with the moral Law of God ("So Help Me God") to uphold the Constitution of Tennessee and the Constitution of the United States; and

Whereas, the fulfillment of this oath, in the American tradition, may not be read to contradict the written Constitution, Justice, Reason and higher Natural Law; and

Whereas, not all orders claiming authority under color of law are lawful; and

Whereas, unlawful orders, no matter their source - whether from a military commander, a federal judge, or the United States Supreme Court - are and remain unlawful, and should be resisted; and

Whereas, the American system of federalism envisions a political stance of resistance by States and their office holders against lawless federal court orders; and

Whereas, modernly, federal judges have once again usurped powers not delegated to them, and have violated Reason, the Rule of Law and Natural Law by purporting to strike down State laws and acts of the People recognizing and protecting Natural Marriage; and

Whereas, the United States Supreme Court is not the sole and final arbiter of the powers of the States under the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, when it acts in an area outside of its jurisdiction; and

Whereas, the federal Judiciary was created by the Founders to have "neither Force nor Will, but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm" and the States, for the carrying out of its judgments, and it is high time that the Court be so reminded; and

Whereas, we are forced beyond our wishes to comply with what is clearly against our conscience, and violates what the Bill of Rights, both State and Federal, give us the Right to do...

With a firm reliance upon the providence of Almighty God WE the BLOUNT COUNTY LEGISLATURE call upon all of the Officers of the State of Tennessee, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the members of the Tennessee Legislature, to join US, and utilize all authority within their power to protect Natural Marriage, from lawless court opinions, AND THE financial schemes of the enemies of righteousness wherever the source AND defend the Moral Standards of Tennessee.

WE adopt this Resolution before God that He pass us by in His Coming Wrath and not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities. As the Passover Lamb was a means of salvation to the ancient Children of Israel, so we stand upon the safety of the Lamb of God to save us.

WE adopt this Resolution begging His favor in light of the fact that we have been forced to comply and recognize that the State of Tennessee, like so many other God-fearing States, MAY have fallen prey to a lawless judiciary in legalizing what God and the Bible expressly forbids.