Prior to taking office, a new President takes the following oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Prior to taking office, a Kentucky County Clerk takes the following oath: "I, (person states their name), do swear that I will well and truly discharge the duties of the office of (person states the name of the county) County Circuit Court clerk, according to the best of my skill and judgment, making the due entries and records of all orders, judgments, decrees, opinions and proceedings of the court, and carefully filing and preserving in my office all books and papers which come to my possession by virtue of my office; and that I will not knowingly or willingly commit any malfeasance of office, and will faithfully execute the duties of my office without favor, affection or partiality, so help me God."
By refusing to issue marriage licenses, Kim Davis violated her oath of office, an oath that called upon her deity of choice to help her do her job, which includes issuing marriage licenses "without favor, affection or partiality."
Since state laws allowing clerks to refuse to issue marriage licenses on the basis of sexual orientation were found unconstitutional and Ms. Davis' refusal to issue licenses was based on issuing licenses to same-sex couples, her acts were illegal because they were unconstitutional.
Since the President of the United States is bound by the oath to "(P)reserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States," doesn't that mean that certain candidates who complain that Ms. Davis is being persecuted because of her Christianity are telling us that, no matter what they might say at the swearing-in, they will not abide by the oath?
Wouldn't that seem to be an automatic disqualifier for the office?
Please note that the Presidential Oath does not mention God. Also note that the incoming President is not required to swear on a Bible. Teddy Roosevelt didn't use a Bible; John Adams used a law book; Lyndon Johnson used a Roman Catholic missal and George W. Bush used Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham." (Just kidding on that last one.)
All too often, people think of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as separate documents with separate effects. The reality is that the Constitution includes and incorporates all of the amendments - it's all one document.
According to Matthew 22:20-22, Jesus said "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
God may sanctify a marriage, but Caesar issues the licenses and makes them legal here on earth. In the America of 2015, Caesar says it's illegal to deny a marriage license on the basis of sexual orientation and that it is also required for a county clerk to issue marriage licenses without "without favor, affection or partiality."
Therefore, Ms. Davis and all these self-professed Christians are not only not honoring their oaths, they are not fulfilling the responsibilities commanded by Jesus.
Sadly, this is just one more question that will never be asked in a debate.