Liberty Institute Says U.S. Supreme Court Got It Wrong In Prop 8 And DOMA Decisions

DALLAS, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of today's U.S. Supreme Court decisions on California's Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, Liberty Institute issued the following statement:

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"In today's same-sex marriage decisions, a slim majority of the U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong in both cases. Nevertheless, the Court did not create the constitutional right, which the Left wanted, to same-sex marriage throughout the United States," said Liberty Institute General Counsel Jeff Mateer. "Such a decision would have severely harmed the religious liberty rights of millions of Americans who hold to the traditional view of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

"The Prop. 8 decision is a loss for democracy and the citizens of California. Those citizens should have recourse to defend the laws that they passed. In the DOMA ruling, The Court's understanding of federalism misses the mark. The federal government has the right to define the terms used in federal law."

Liberty Institute President/CEO Kelly Shackelford said, "As result of today's decisions, the debate about marriage will go on in the 50 states. These battles will have major implications for the religious liberty rights of millions of Americans who hold to the traditional view of marriage. Liberty Institute stands prepared to defend the deep religious beliefs Americans hold about the sanctity of the marriage covenant."

About Liberty Institute

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to restoring and defending religious liberty across America – in our schools, for our churches, and throughout the public arena. Liberty Institute's vision is to reestablish liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's founders. Visit www.LibertyInstitute.org for more information.

SOURCE Liberty Institute