Freedom of Religion

In the United States, we are free to practice our beliefs as we see fit, a right that is guaranteed by the first amendment in our constitution.  This freedom is only up to a point though.  You are free to believe whatever you want as long as that belief does not interfere with my rights, for instance.

One example of this restriction is the case of gay marriage.  Kim Davis, a country clerk, decided not to provide marriage licenses to anyone rather than providing marriage licenses to gay couples.  She claimed her right of religious freedom allowed this.  Here's the thing though, part of her job, as country clerk, is to provide marriage licenses, so either she should have stepped aside or she should have allowed her deputies to provide those licenses. She was sued and when she went to court she was put in jail because she wasn't willing to provide marriage licenses nor would she promise not to interfere with her deputies providing them.  She was let go yesterday with the understanding that she would not interfere with her deputies' work.  The amusing thing is that when she came out of the jail, there was a rally where her supporters (including presidential candidates Huckabee and Cruz) claimed victory.  But victory over what is my question.  She's being let go under the provision that something would be allowed to take place that she wasn't willing to agree to previously.  Had she agreed to it previously, she wouldn't have been in jail in the first place.  It's kind of like if I refused to put on shoes when going to a restaurant and they refused to seat me.... and then I put on shoes and claimed victory because they seated me.

It's interesting to see how the Republican presidential candidates are each responding to this matter.  While Huckabee and Cruz back Davis up, moderates such as Christie have said that Davis should have been moved to a position where her religious beliefs would not interfere with her duties and that we have to obey laws.