fbpx
News Articles

Atlanta: Black pastors rally to oppose same-sex ‘marriage’


ATLANTA (BP)–Saying they can “no longer remain silent,” some 30 black pastors from the Atlanta area have signed a statement condemning comparisons between homosexual rights and civil rights and calling for the passage of a state constitutional marriage amendment.

The letter, signed by some 30 pastors and leaders, was delivered to members of the Georgia General Assembly, where a marriage amendment is stuck in a House committee. The letter provides a stark contrast to actions of black members of the House who led the charge to defeat it the first time in February.

“People are free in our nation to pursue relationships as they choose,” the letter reads. “To redefine marriage, however, to suit the preference of those choosing alternative lifestyles is wrong. If you will not vote to defend the sanctity of marriage, you have forfeited your right to serve in our state because you certainly do not represent the people who elected you.”

The pastors led a rally March 22 at an Atlanta church in support of a marriage amendment. It failed to pass in February, needing 120 votes but receiving only 117. But about a dozen members either didn’t vote or weren’t present, and supporters have brought it back up. It reportedly has enough votes for passage this time. It has already passed the Senate.

Pastor William Shields of Hopewell Baptist Church spoke at the March 22 rally.

“I’m not here tonight to discriminate against anyone. I’m here to stand on the Word of God,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

In the letter the leaders called the debate over same-sex “marriage” a “defining moment.”

“We are facing a defining moment in our nations’ history when one of the pillars of our civilization is being shaken,” the letter reads. “Monogamous marriage between one woman and one man is being challenged and we can no longer remain silent. In solidarity we raise our voices on behalf of hundreds of thousands in our congregations and on behalf of the next generation.

“We demand that you lay aside your political party lines and defend marriage as historically defined.”

Marriage is a “covenant between one man and one woman” and exists for the “procreation of our children,” the letter says. Marriage must never be reduced to a “bundle of governmental benefits” for “those who practice a particular lifestyle,” it reads.

Same-sex “marriage” should never be compared to civil rights, the letter asserts.

“We utterly reject the notion that same-sex marriage is a civil right,” it reads. “For those of us in the African-American community who have fought for over thirty years here in the southeast to secure equal rights based on the fact that we were created by God and carry His image, we will not tolerate the notion that marriage which was also created in the Image of God now be corrupted and undermined.

“God established the rights of all peoples regardless of race or gender, and He has called us as leaders in the city to protect the sanctity of marriage between one woman and one man. To equate a lifestyle choice to racism demeans the work of the entire Civil Rights Movement.”

The legalization of same-sex “marriage” would impact society and would have dire consequences on the next generation, the leaders argue.

“We urge you to support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman,” the letter reads. “Rise above the political smoke and journalistic rhetoric. Don’t succumb to the easy choice. Do the right thing. We will watch how you vote and our children will feel the effects.”
–30–
The complete text of the statement follows:

“We are facing a defining moment in our nations’ history when one of the pillars of our civilization is being shaken. Monogamous marriage between one woman and one man is being challenged and we can no longer remain silent. In solidarity we raise our voices on behalf of hundreds of thousands in our congregations and on behalf of the next generation. We demand that you lay aside your political party lines and defend marriage as historically defined.

“Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman. It is both a religious and social contract and it has served civilization for over six thousand years as a primary basis for stability, security, health and well-being. We had better not tamper with or redefine this sacred institution.

“How dare you make a matter of such grave magnitude an issue of Democrat or Republican. Neither is this an issue of mere heterosexual or homosexual. As we sit at the ‘table of brotherhood,’ there is plenty of blame both in the church and in our city to go around. There are many righteousness and justice issues we as Christian leaders have failed to address in the past, and our city is the worst due to our neglect. It is now time, however, for us to rise up with one voice and confront a matter of foundational importance to every race, every religion and every political interest in our city.

“Marriage as an institution exists for the protection of our children. You must never allow marriage to be reduced to a bundle of governmental benefits for those who practice a particular lifestyle. Sociological studies have demonstrated that children excel in the home environment of one man and one woman. To undermine this principle is at best a social experiment that caters to the desires of a few adults while risking the interests of innocent children. At worst it could destroy an essential element in our culture.

“We utterly reject the notion that same-sex marriage is a civil right. For those of us in the African-American community who have fought for over thirty years here in the southeast to secure equal rights based on the fact that we were created by God and carry His image, we will not tolerate the notion that marriage which was also created in the Image of God now be corrupted and undermined.

“God established the rights of all peoples regardless of race or gender, and He has called us as leaders in the city to protect the sanctity of marriage between one woman and one man. To equate a lifestyle choice to racism demeans the work of the entire Civil Rights Movement. As our respected fallen leader, Dr. King once said, ‘I have a dream, that my four children will one day live in a country where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.’ This is a character issue where we cannot tolerate compromise.

“This is neither a hate nor a fear issue. While many of us certainly hold to strict moral views related to homosexual behavior, we are not calling for governmental policing of people’s personal sexual preference or lifestyle. People are free in our nation to pursue relationships as they choose. To redefine marriage, however, to suit the preference of those choosing alternative lifestyles is wrong. If you will not vote to defend the sanctity of marriage, you have forfeited your right to serve in our state because you certainly do not represent the people who elected you.

“We, hereby, call you to be strong and courageous as you give priority to this matter and do all that is in your power to lead the cause of historic marriage. We urge you to support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Rise above the political smoke and journalistic rhetoric. Don’t succumb to the easy choice. Do the right thing. We will watch how you vote and our children will feel the effects.”

For more information about the debate over same-sex “marriage,” visit
http://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage

    About the Author

  • Michael Foust