Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Sunday finally commented on the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, suggesting that the government simply stop recognizing marriage altogether.
In an op-ed published Sunday in Time Magazine, Paul acknowledged that he believes Americans have the right to enter into contracts, but he questioned whether the government should be able to define marriage.
“I acknowledge the right to contract in all economic and personal spheres, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a danger that a government that involves itself in every nook and cranny of our lives won’t now enforce definitions that conflict with sincerely felt religious convictions of others,” Paul wrote. “The government should not prevent people from making contracts but that does not mean that the government must confer a special imprimatur upon a new definition of marriage.”
“Perhaps the time has come to examine whether or not governmental recognition of marriage is a good idea, for either party,” he continued.
Paul referenced counties in Alabama that stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether when faced with the legalization of gay marriage in the state.
The senator and presidential candidate also vowed to protect religious liberties in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“I for one will stand ready to resist any intrusion of government into the religious sphere,” he wrote.
