Pastor jailed for refusing to wed gay couple

Paul Horner, 56, a pastor in Vermont USA has been jailed for refusing to wed a gay couple. The Honorable Myron Danus in his verdict said "Religious freedom is both ways Mr Horner Danus told a courtroom that was packed.

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''It is not your place to deny individuals the same rights that everyone else has, rights that were passed down and agreed upon in a court of law, the ultimate court, the Supreme Court. It is not your decision whether or not you agree with the law but more importantly that you follow it and enforce it.''

The pastor's lawyer spoke to reporters on his behalf:

''We are currently disputing the guilty verdict and i am confident my client will be a free man here shortly'' said attorney Tom Downey.

Horner was just using his best judgement according to his rights and religious freedom in this country.''

NBC reports that the church is registered with the state as a religious corporation limited to performing one-man-one-woman marriages as defined by the Holy Bible.''

The church is also a registered as a profit business and city officials said that means the owners must comply with the state and federal regulations. 

Steve Shand, president of the Vermont Family Research Committee said '' it is open season on Americans who refuse to bow to the governments redefinition of marriage''

''Homosexuals are g#y,''Shand told reporters. ''Why should christian ministers be forced to perform and celebrate any marriage that conflicts with their beliefs? It's a slippery slope my friend. Pretty soon these same pastors will be forced to wed animals or kitchen appliances. This is not my America!

One Gwen Hawkins, President of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Pride Center said she is happy with the court.

''We just want the same rights as everyone and this guilty verdict sets a great precedent,'' Hawkins said.

source: dailypost