A magistrate in North Carolina has blamed same-sex marriage for his decision to resign.
John Kallam Jr, who served as a magistrate in Rockingham County, wrote in his resignation letter that allowing gays to marry "would desecrate a holy Institution established by God Himself".
He said: "When I took my oath of office, I understood I would be required to perform weddings and have done so throughout my tenure.
"I did not however take that oath with any understanding that I would be required to marry same sex couples.
"It is my personal belief and a position of my Christian faith that doing so would desecrate a holy Institution established by God Himself.
"Since performing marriages is an integral part of being a Magistrate and in light of recent changes in North Carolina law. I can no longer fulfil my oath of office in good faith."
Same-sex marriage became law in North Carolina last week , after US District Court Judge Max Cogburn ruled that the state’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional.
Chief District Judge Fred Wilkins said: "He's a good honourable man and a good man who stuck by his convictions."
Chris Sgro of rights group Equality NC told the News Record : "This is not an issue of people’s rights to have religious beliefs, but people try to spin it that way.
"This is their job, and it's a job requirement."
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