If Kim Davis and the far-right got their way...

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis has made a lot of headlines in recent weeks due to her not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples because it went against her religious beliefs. Many far-right conservatives, including multiple Republican candidates running for the 2016 presidential election, have come to Ms. Davis' defense, saying it's her First Amendment right to believe as she so chooses and that she should be exempt from having to fully follow through with her job responsibilities due to religious freedom. Like I've noted many times before, Kim Davis is allowed to believe in whatever religion she so chooses. However, if those religious beliefs prevent her from fully doing her job, she should seek work elsewhere. There's a reason why the Civil Rights Act was passed and why the LGBT community has long been fighting for similar protections under the law. Regardless of a person's age, gender, race, creed, or orientation, he or she should be treated equally as a customer. Kim Davis has every right to be a Christian. However, under the law, she has no right strip another of their equality due to her beliefs. Just imagine if this mentality and these actions became the norm for all religious groups in this country...

Setting: At a Walmart in Podunk, Michigan

Customer Bradley Johnson: "Hi, how are you doing today?"

Cashier Jessica Goldstein: "Pretty good, and yourself?"

Bradley: "Good, good. Just getting ready for a big family get-together."

Jessica: "That should be fun. Wait, is this shellfish?"

Bradley: "Yes"

Jessica: "I'm sorry, but that's against my religion. Would you mind going to aisle 2? Thanks."

Bradley: "Uh, yeah, sure..."

Cashier Sanjay Patel: "How are you doing this afternoon, sir?"

Bradley: "Okay, and you?"

Sanjay: "Not too shabby. Wait, is this beef?"

Bradley: "Yes..."

Sanjay: "I'm sorry, sir, but this is against my religion. Would you mind going to the cashier in aisle 3? Thanks."

Bradley: "Okay..."

Joe Smith: "How are you doing this fine day?"

Bradley: "I'm not sure anymore."

Joe: "Why's that? Been getting passed around by the cashiers because something you want to purchase goes against their religious beliefs?"

Bradley: "Yeah..."

Joe: "Well, don't worry about it anymore. I'm sure your purchases will be fine with me."

Bradley: "Great; I really need to get home and start cooking."

Joe: "Oh oh..."

Bradley: What now?"

Joe: "Is this coffee?"

Bradley: "Yes..."

Joe: "I'm sorry, sir, but this is against my religion. Would you mind going to the cashier in aisle 4?"

Bradley: "Jesus... Okay, fine..."

Mahmoud Ali: "Hello sir, how are you doing this evening?"

Bradley: "I'm starting to get a headache."

Mahmoud: "I'm sorry to hear that. Wait, is this alcohol?"

Bradley: "It's O'Doul's..."

Mahmoud: "So, yes? I'm sorry, but this is against my religion. Would you mind going to the cashier in aisle 5?"

Bradley: "It's non-alcoholic beer."

Mahmoud: "There's still a little alcohol in it and it's beer."

Bradley: "There's about as much alcohol in here as in Root Beer. Would you not sell me that either?"

Mahmoud: "I'm not..."

Bradley: "Oh, forget it; I'll just order a bunch of food for tonight. I no longer have time to cook anyway."

Mahmoud: "Okay, have a pleasant day."

Bradley: "Bite me! Wait, not yet; let me cover myself in bacon first!"


Yes, if she used her mentality consistently across all religious groups, this would be the perfect world according to Kim Davis and her ilk. But while everyone has religious freedom in this country, one can't use their religious beliefs to strip others of their freedoms.