Rep. Scott Rigell Puts "Personal Views" Above U. S. Constitution

Virginia Congressman Scott Rigell has long been a far right Christianist. He was deep in the Religious Right over a decade ago when I first heard of him and he has continued to demonstrate that he embraces a less than loving version of the Gospel message. As the Virginian Pilot is reporting, the $690 billion defense bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week takes aim at gay marriage. Naturally, Rigell voted for the measure and like Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell and Ken "Kookinelli" Cuccinelli rarely passes up an opportunity to stigmatize LGBT citizens. The difference is that Rigell has directly taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution including its inconvenient provisions such as the equal protection clause and promise of religious freedom for all. This oath of office means nothing to Rigell - like most GOP extremists - who admits that his personal views and vicious form of Christianity trump the Constitution. Here are highlights from the Pilot article:
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The complex $690 billion defense bill passed by the U.S. House last week includes military pay raises, money for more aircraft and ships and $119 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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The legislation, without a lot of fanfare, also takes aim at gay marriage. It would effectively prohibit military installations from hosting same-sex weddings and would bar Defense Department chaplains or civilians from performing such ceremonies as part of their official duties. The military also would only recognize marriages between a man and a woman.
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U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach, who along with Hampton Roads’ other congressmen voted for the bill, said Tuesday that the provision is in keeping with his personal views.
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“When it comes to the institution of marriage, I hold the view that human history teaches us and what I’ve learned … is that marriage between one man and one woman is best,” Rigell said.
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Efforts to push for the gay-marriage ban surfaced last month not long after The Associated Press reported that Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, the Navy’s head chaplain, issued a memo saying that same-sex weddings could be performed at military installations if the Pentagon repeals the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and allows openly gay people to serve in the military
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As I have stated before, individuals like Rigell need to either fully support the U.S. Constitution or resign from office. As for military chaplains, I think the time has come to end government funded chaplains. Members of the military should seek religious guidance off base or through strictly denominational funded sources.