According to New York Daily News, Grenada County Circuit Clerk Linda Barnette has decided to relinquish the elected position she’s held for 24 years rather than issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple following the marriage legalization decision made by the US Supreme Court a few days ago.
Mrs. Barnette is reportedly a Southern Baptist and her husband once helped Franklin Graham with his national festivals. So when it came to choosing between God and her job and her faith – she didn’t have to think twice before making her choice:
“I told my supervisors a while back if it happened, I would tender my resignation. I had already decided in my heart that I could not issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. It’s my Christian belief. As a follower of Christ, I could not do it. The bible teaches it is contrary to His plan.”
Here is an excerpt of her resignation letter below, which reads:
“I choose to obey God rather than man…I am a follower of Christ and I believe strongly that the Bible is my final authority. The Bible teaches that a marriage is to be between a man and a woman. Therefore, because of the recent ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, I can no longer fulfill my duties as Circuit Clerk and issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.”
