The United States government should keep its hands off the religious convictions of others and should not redefine marriage, Republican presidential aspirant Rand Paul said.
In his opinion on the Supreme Court ruling on the legalisation of the same-sex marriage throughout the United States, Senator Paul argued that the federal government should not "confer a special imprimatur upon a new definition of marriage."
"The Constitution is silent on the question of marriage because marriage has always been a local issue. Our founding fathers went to the local courthouse to be married, not to Washington, D.C.," Paul said.
"I've often said I don't want my guns or my marriage registered in Washington," he added.
Paul also pointed out that the federal government has meddled with the institution of marriage for so long through taxation and regulation.
"It is hard to argue that government's involvement in marriage has made it better, a fact also not surprising to those who believe government does little right," he said.
The Republican senator also stood firm on his disagreement towards the high court's decision to allow same-sex marriages nationwide, saying it is tantamount to "redefinition of marriage."
"Marriage, though a contract, is also more than just a simple contract," Paul said.
"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," he added.
The lawmaker further said that he is ready to "resist any intrusion of government into the religious sphere."
"Perhaps it is time to be more careful what we ask government to do, and where we allow it to become part of our lives," he said.
