The same-sex marriage debate has placed one of our nation’s reddest, most religious, and vehemently anti-gay states in a ‘constitutional crisis‘ after one anti-gay probate judge decided he has the constitutional right to not issue licenses in Pike County, Alabama.

“I am choosing to take the Pike County Probate Office out of the marriage licensing business altogether,” Wes Allen announced Friday. “That is completely within my rights under the laws of Alabama.”

Allen made the surprise announcement via his Twitter account claiming the wording of an archaic state statute gives him the authority “to not issue marriage licenses to anyone.”

“Marriage licenses,” Alabama Code Section 30-1-9 reads, “may be issued by the judges of probate of the several counties.”

“The word ‘may’ implies that I have a choice,” Allen explained to the Troy Messenger. “At this time, I am exercising my right to choose not to issue any marriage licenses to anyone.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to not respond to Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s request to place a stay on last month’s federal court rulings that struck down Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage. This now means that same-sex couples will be legally able to obtain marriage licenses and begin marrying in Alabama Monday morning, barring a ruling by the Supreme Court next week.

“I believe that the Alabama Constitution and federal law protect my right to both live my life as a Christian and perform my elected duties,” Allen said. “The way that the law allows me to do that is by giving me the discretion to end the issuance of marriage licenses, and that is the legal course I am taking.”

“The people of Pike County elected me to perform my duties and they also elected me because of who I am and the values I live by,” Allen said.

[Covington County Probate Judge Ben Bowden (left) and Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen (right)]

Covington County Probate Judge Ben Bowden announced in a statement that he will not issue same-sex marriage licenses on Monday. Bowden says his decision is strictly based on law and not on his personal or religious beliefs.

“I have concluded that I have a duty to uphold Alabama law until a court with authority over me directs me otherwise,” Bowden wrote. “The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear and rule on a very similar case from another state this summer. I look forward to getting a definitive answer as soon as possible.”

Bowden said he is also following instructions issued by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. Moore handed down guidance to the state’s probate judges in a 27-page memorandum Tuesday, saying marriage is a state issue and he does not feel the lower federal courts have the authority to overrule Alabama law. Moore also quoted the bible in his letter, Mark 10:6-9, which begins, “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’”