God Hates Adultery

Congressman: We Should ‘Prevent Those Who Commit Adultery
or Get a Divorce From Running for Office’

Today, the House of Representative is spending the day debating a
constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. (It has no chance of becoming
law, since the Senate rejected it last month.)

On the House floor, Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) said he was opposed the
amendment but only because it didn’t go far enough. (UPDATE: Davis voted
in favor of the amendment.) Davis said Congress should "outlaw divorce
in this country" and "outlaw adultery and make it a felony." In
addition, Davis said, "we should also prevent those who commit adultery, or
get a divorce, from running for office."

Davis said it was important to "go after the other threats to the
institution" not just the threat from homosexuals. Watch
it:

There are currently at
least 29 divorced members of Congress. There is no official data on how
many members have committed adultery.

UPDATE: Davis now says his "intent was to
point out the purely partisan nature and timing of the amendment." If
so, why did he vote for it?

Transcript:

LINCOLN DAVIS: Marriage is for life, and this amendment needs to include
that basic tenant. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I think we should expand the
scope of the amendment to outlaw divorce in this country. Going further Mr.
Speaker, I believe in fidelity. Adultery is an evil that threatens the
marriage and the heart of every marriage, which is commitment.

How can we as a country allow adulterers to go unpunished and continue to
make a mockery of marriage? Again by doing so, what lessons are we teaching
our children about marriage? I certainly think that it shows we are not
serious about protecting the institution and this is why I think the
amendment should outlaw adultery and make it a felony. Additionally, Mr.
Speaker, we must address spousal abuse and child abuse. Think of how many
marriages end in a divorce or permanent separation because one spouse is
abusive.

And, Mr. Speaker, I personally think child abuse may be the most
despicable act one can commit. This is why if we are truly serious about
protecting marriage to the point we will amend the constitution, we should
extend the punishment of abuse to prevent those who do such a hideous act
from ever running for an elected position anywhere.

We should also prevent those who commit adultery, or get a divorce, from
running for office. Mr. Speaker, this House must lead by example. If we want
those watching on CSPAN to actually believe we are serious about protecting
marriage, then we should go after the other major threats to the
institution. Not just the threat that homosexuals may some day be allowed to
marry in a state other than Massachusetts. An elected official should
certainly lead by example.