The nine justices of the United States Supreme Court were photographed Nov. 30, 2018. Seated from left to right: Stephen G. Breyer, Clarence Thomas, John G. Roberts, Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Samuel A. Alito. Standing from left to right: Neil M. Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Brett M. Kavanaugh. Photo: Collection of the United States Supreme Court. Op-Ed The Constitution protects religious beliefs. It does not protect a person’s right to discriminate based on religious belief. But on October 5, two Supreme Court justices — Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito — indicated they see things quite differently. They would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians by those who have a religious objection to marriage equality. The justices’ position is extremely worrisome, and it could be an indication that the Supreme Court will soon create a broad exception to anti-discrimination laws. Kentucky case Alito and Thomas made their views known on October 5 when the court denied review in what should have been an easy case involving Kim Davis, a court clerk in Kentucky who refused to issue wedding licenses to same-sex couples. The lower federal courts rightly ruled against Davis’ claim that she could refuse to issue […]
