Missouri Judge Errs in Marriage Ruling, States Family Research Council

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Nov 08, 2014, 04:27 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Missouri Federal District Court Judge Ortrie Smith overturned the state's voter backed amendment that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following statement on Judge Smith's ruling:

"This is yet another case of judicial activism in which one judge overturns the freedom of the people to affirm natural marriage.

"The Sixth Circuit rightly recognizes that the Constitution does not demand that this modern redefinition of marriage be forced on the States. Judge Smith should have recognized this fact and respected the freedom of Missouri voters to affirm natural marriage.

"We urge Judges like Ortrie Smith to practice the same judicial restraint that the Justices of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals applied to their ruling. Judges have no authority to redefine marriage.

"The American people simply will not accept a nationwide redefinition of marriage imposed on them by a judicial oligarchy. We affirm the right of the people of each state to affirm what is the truth -- marriage is the union of a man and a woman," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council