As the network for persecuted Christians, Fox News wasted no time in support of Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was jailed for refusing to grant same sex marriage licenses because Jesus, Yesterday, Tucker Carlson sang her praises and today, official Fox priest, Fr, Jonathan Morris, did the same.
This morning, Carlson began the "Keeping the Faith" segment by reporting on yesterday's demonstration in support for Fox's newest Christian hero. Video of the demonstration and comments from her lawyer, Mat Staver, from the right wing Liberty Counsel, a group which has compared the LGBT community to Nazis and which, of course, believes that gay marriage is destroying America. Staver, of course, feels that Davis "should be applauded."
Carlson asked Fox's one true priest, Fr. Jonathan Morris, how long Davis should be imprisoned. Morris, of course, didn't believe that Davis should be in jail because "we are in a grown up society and we should be able to figure out that the law is followed and that people should be able to get their marriage licenses from somebody who doesn't have a problem with it." He advocated for Davis to be able to keep her job and "not send her to jail." Devout Episcopal Church hating (they ordain women and support gay marriage) Anglican Christian Carlson said "amen."
Morris cited instances where public officials are "able to step away and say 'I don't have to this'." Carlson smirked as Ann Kooiman asked about the logistics of having having separate (but equal?) procedures for the licenses. Morris opined that "we can figure that out." While Morris admitted that, as a government employee, she is responsible for doing her job, "the consequences are disproportional to what she's done."
Clayton Morris brought up the "idea of conscience" and noted that the thrice divorced Davis has been "slammed" by critics. Morris said that "you don't have to be perfect for following your conscience" and said he had "every reason" to believe that she "is doing this for the right reason."
In responding to Carlson's question of when Christians should step away from doing something that violates their faith, Morris provided a Catholic exegesis on "participation in evil" which informs Christians that if what they're doing is really bad, they should quit doing it. Doing his priestly duty as a mouthpiece for the GOP right, Fr. Morris advanced the right's wing's anti-government stance when he suggested that if you want to keep your conscience clean, "it's better to work for yourself than the government."
The banners framed the agitprop throughout the piece: "Faith Under Fire" Hundreds Gather in Support of Jailed KY clerk;" "Keeping the faith, religious freedom vs. the rule of law;" "Wedded to her Beliefs, Davis Refusing Licenses to Same Sex Couples;" and '"Religious 'Conviction' Davis Refuses Order to Issue Licenses."
In the real world, Kim Davis is no MLK (as suggested by Tucker Carlson). But then Fox News isn't fair & balanced, either.
However, your News Hounds membership cards is not in jeopardy. :)
I’m probably going to lose my News Hounds membership card but I think the analysis needs some help. For example, saying “To Fox News, KY Clerk Kim Davis Is A Bigger Martyr Than Martin Luther King” is a bit over the top. They were pimping equivalence which is bad enough. Leave the exaggeration to Fox News.
The amusing moment for me in this latest “Fox & Friends” episode is Father Jonathan Morris’ waffling defense of Ms. Davis getting interrupted by ‘Do we have 1 line for gays and 1 line for straights?’ While this interview was all softball and light it’s the heart of Fox News’ meme: No compromise. Father Morris is pimping compromise and that’s not what the GOP TV fanboys want to hear. Pastor Jeffress from the other day is pushing martyrdom, more to their liking.
Republicans have not only lost the legal case; Fox News has been unable to move the needle on public support against gay marriage. They desperately need a sympathetic symbol, a martyr for the larger populace to rally around, a story to revive this dead horse of a topic. Not for the Fox News fanboy bigot crowd who already are onboard. No, something that will ignite outrage outside of wing-nut nation. Unfortunate for GOP TV, I don’t see Ms. Davis as their savior unless Roger Ailes can dream up more appealing propaganda for the ‘silent majority’ (which is neither) to rally around. Like he’s been able to do over the nothingburger of Hillary emailgate.
For once, maybe even Roger can’t get past the simple truth so obvious to the rest of us?
Religious freedom is a right but it doesn’t trump fundamental civil rights. Because Christians are in no way infringed in the way they practice their religion if gays get married. Using religion as an excuse to not fulfill critical job duties isn’t an excuse. A clerk of the court, she’s the signatory for marriage licenses (though others can sign by direction). Ms. Davis is free to go to church and rage against homosexuals until she goes hoarse.
When she’s done she can practice “Do you want fries with that?” ;^)
From what was revealed, it appears as though Davis intimidated her subordinates and tried to foist her religious beliefs on others. So, again, how is she any different from the mullahs who run Iran, through similar programs of intimidation and forcing their particular views of Islam on a public which may or may not be as, um, dedicated.
If she wants to “preach” and “spread her faith,” she can always become a minister and get a congregation where THAT IS EXPECTED. However, this cow is a PUBLIC SERVANT. Why are HER “religious beliefs” being allowed to overrule other people’s rights? Her First Amendment religious rights stop at the point where they interfere with MINE.
