As you can imagine, I am disappointed with today’s Supreme Court ruling on marriage.

"I just filmed a quick video in my office to explain what happened today in the Supreme Court ruling in King v. Burwell. Today's decision will change forever the way the Court can interpret the law. Now, when the Court believes a law meant to say something even though it is not explicitly in the text, they can rewrite the law to say what they think it meant to say"

https://www.facebook.com/SenatorLankford?fref=nf

".As you can imagine, I am disappointed with today’s Supreme Court ruling on marriage. However, just like there remains a diversity of opinion on abortion, decades after Roe v. Wade, there will remain strong opinions on marriage long past today’s decision. Many Americans believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and we need to celebrate marriage as the best way to provide stability for children. For people who live by the clear teaching of many different faith traditions and people who simply believe in the sanctity of marriage, it is essential that their views are respected. After the ruling, the President was right to call the nation to respect and "revere our nation’s deep commitment to religious freedom."

My faith teaches that every person should be respected, no matter if I agree with them or not. My beliefs define my respect for people as individuals but it also sets a standard that will not change with a Supreme Court decision. Now the Courts must stand for the First Amendment of the Constitution and the faith traditions of millions of Americans.

It is noteworthy that Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in today’s majority decision, “It must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.”