Fiorina: Marriage is 'grounded in spirituality'

GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina on Saturday said the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide ignores religious history across most world faiths.

 

The former Hewlett-Packard CEO argued history has almost always defined marriage as the coupling of one man with one woman on spiritual grounds.

 

“Marriage is an institution grounded in spirituality,” she told listeners at the Western Conservative Summit 2015 in Denver.

“For millennia, through every religion in the world, marriage has meant a very specific thing,” Fiorina said.

 

“That is very different from five Supreme Court justices saying, ‘We’re going to tell you what marriage is,’ ” she added.

 

The Supreme Court ruled in a landmark 5-4 decision Friday that all states must recognize same-sex marriages under the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

 

Fiorina said Saturday their decision stole an opportunity from Americans to organically decide the issue themselves.

 

“We saw over the last couple days an incredible example of judicial overreach,” she said of the Supreme Court’s multiple rulings earlier this week.

 

“We saw an example of people giving in to politics and giving up on principles,” she said, criticizing the Supreme Court as “activist judges.”

 

“I am sorry the Supreme Court took up this case,” Fiorina added. “I think it was best left up to the states and the people to continue this discussion.”

 

Fiorina said her reaction to Obergefell v. Hodges’ decision did not mean she opposes same-sex relationships.

 

She argued a better balance is possible between gay and religious rights.

 

“I have always been supportive of civil unions,” she said, citing moves made during her tenure at Hewlett-Packard.

 

“I don’t think government should discriminate in the provision of benefits.”

 

The ex-technology executive argued Republicans should practice greater inclusiveness towards potential voters.

 

Fiorina said any inability to connect with Americans could cost her party the presidential election in 2016.

 

“We have to talk to everyone,” she said. “Our tone matters. Our language matters.”

 

“We cannot be judgmental, we have to be empathetic,” Fiorina added.

 

Fiorina argued that as president, she would help Americans realize their shared capability for achieving great things.

 

“Here, in this nation, every individual has the right to fulfill their potential,” she said.

 

“Our Founders knew that everybody has God-given gifts,” Fiorina added. “That right comes from God and cannot be taken away by man or government