Churches across America continue to speak out on hot-button issues.
Some religious groups have softened their positions on social topics to match changing times and others stand firm on traditional biblical teachings.
This from thepatriotjournal.com.
One major denomination just made waves with a bold declaration. Their leaders are not backing down from biblical principles—even if it puts them at odds with current laws. This move could set up a showdown between religious freedom and civil rights.
Southern Baptist delegates have overwhelmingly voted to ban same-sex marriage. At their national meeting in Dallas, over 10,000 church representatives called for overturning the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
From CBS News:
The wide-ranging resolution doesn’t use the word ‘ban’ but left no room for legal same-sex marriage in calling for the ‘overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that defy God’s design for marriage and family.’ Further, the resolution affirmatively calls ‘for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one woman.’
The resolution passed without any debate. This shows strong agreement among America’s largest Protestant group. But it raises big questions: Does this stance represent what most Americans believe? Or is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) out of step with the nation?
Recent polls have shown growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Americans. Yet the SBC wants laws changed to match their biblical view of marriage as “between one man and one woman.” Andrew Walker, chair of the SBC’s Committee on Resolutions, admitted the difficulty ahead. Suggesting they know this will not be an easy fight, he said:
I’m clear-eyed about the difficulties and the headwinds in this resolution.
How will President Trump respond to this push from a key religious group? The Trump administration has been friendly to religious liberty concerns, but has not signaled any plans to challenge same-sex marriage policies.
If Obergefell were overturned, states would once again decide their own marriage laws. Before the 2015 ruling, 36 states had already legalized same-sex marriage. America has always struggled to balance religious freedom with equal rights for all citizens.
