North Carolina magistrates are resigning from their roles after gay marriage was legalized in the state.
So far, at least six judges have decided to step down.
Reportedly, those resigning include: Rockingham County magistrate John Kallam Jr., Gaston County magistrate Bill Stevenson, Graham County magistrate Tommy Holland, Union County magistrate Gayle Myrick and Jackson County magistrate Jeff Powell.
Additionally, Swain County magistrate Gilbert Breedlove resigned from his post last week.
The officials have said they do not believe in marrying same-sex couples and that is a violation of their faith.
“It was something I had to do out of conscience. I felt like to perform same sex unions would be in violation of the Lord’s commands so I couldn’t do that,” Stevenson told WCNC-TV. ”I hate to wax so biblical, but it says what good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lost his own soul, so that’s the stakes I put on this.”
Myrick said, “For me to do what the state said I had to do, under penalty of law, I would have to go against my convictions, and I was not willing to do that. I want to honor what the word says.”
Publication date: October 31, 2014