Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas
Some see the vote as an opening salvo in a broader campaign to overturn same-sex marriage at the federal level.

The Southern Baptist Convention has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution that calls for overturning Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court ruling which legalized gay marriage nationwide ten years ago.

As the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptists' yearly meeting is often used as a means to take the pulse of the evangelical community at-large on social and political issues.

What Does the Vote Mean?

A formal rejection of same-sex marriage by members of the SBC shows a renewed willingness by the evangelical community to challenge marriage equality in court, something they’ve been hesitant to do in the ten years since the Obergefell ruling.

Some see the vote as an opening salvo in a broader campaign to overturn same-sex marriage at the federal level.

Is same-sex marriage at risk?

What the Resolution Says

Resolutions in years past declared marriage as only between one man and one woman, but this year’s takes things a step further, officially calling for the overturning of Obergefell.

It’s the first time the SBC has called on members to legally mobilize against gay marriage, which they say “[denies] the biological reality of male and female… undermines the truth of God’s design, and lead to social confusion and injustice.” 

The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling is also described as "legal fiction" in the SBC’s proposed resolutions.

The measure opposing same-sex marriage was included in a lengthy and wide-ranging resolution titled “On Restoring Moral Clarity through God’s Design for Gender, Marriage, and the Family.” The resolution also calls for defunding Planned Parenthood, supports “parental rights in education and healthcare,” and advocates for “safety and fairness in female athletic competition”—a nod to ongoing debates over the participation of transgender women in women’s sports.

Other resolutions ask members to vote on approving bans on pornography and abortion pills, as well as significant curtailing of sports betting.

These resolutions are not legally binding, but often give insight into what issues are capturing the attention of religious circles beyond the walls of the SBC… and what they might hope to accomplish in the courts in the coming year.

Evangelical Opposition

SBC representatives acknowledge their movement could be unpopular. Gay marriage has widespread and bipartisan support nationwide; 68% of Americans support the rights of same-sex couples to marry and just 29% of Americans oppose it, numbers which were nearly reversed 30 years ago.

As SBC ethicist Andrew Walker put it, “it now seems the case in many sectors of American society that same-sex marriage is just as American as baseball and apple pie... What we’re trying to do is keep the conversation alive."

Among faith groups, evangelicals represent a major holdout on acceptance of gay marriage; A 2024 survey of faith groups found that only 36% of evangelicals even agree that homosexuality should be accepted in society at all – let alone be involved in marriage. 

“We know that we’re in a minority in the culture right now, but we want to be a prophetic minority,” said Denny Burk, the president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. 

So Long, Gay Marriage?

lgbt couple holding hands in front of rainbow flag
Evangelical activists may be looking to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges.

Evangelicals, emboldened by the successful overturning of Roe v. Wade a few years ago, are fighting to return to a world where marriage is between only a man and a woman – and they're willing to play the long game.

After all, it took the anti-abortion movement some 50 years to argue the right case at the right time in front of the right court.

But many LGBTQ+ rights groups worry that this effort could be swifter than the battle over Roe.

The current Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, offers fewer ideological roadblocks than past courts. And some religious groups believe this creates an opportunity to overturn Obergefell, or potentially even institute a national ban on gay marriage. 

Considering that Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas left the door open to future legal challenges to Obergefell back when Roe was overturned, they may not be wrong. 

What is your reaction?

109 comments

  1. Deborah Jane Vogel's Avatar Deborah Jane Vogel

    The Southern Baptist Conference is only one of many Christian and non - Christian denominations in the United States. They are not the sole word nor the last word in the matter of gay marriage or regarding any rights due to the LGBTQ+ community or others who are the target of bias or hate.

    I urge all people, of any denomination (or no denomination), to call or email their state representatives and their Representatives and Senators in Washington, DC, urging them to support gay marriage, trans people’s rights, etc as these issues come up for debate in their respective districts and states.

    When you do contact your representatives: *Identify yourself and include your religious affiliation (if you have one); *Don’t preach to them; *Don’t commit the same religious transgressions that many of us accuse the Southern Baptist Conference or White Christian Nationalists of doing (ie., weaponizing God’s or Jesus’ words); *Be straightforward and succinct, for example: “This is J. Doe. I am ________ (Christian, atheist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, etc.), I live in your district, and I vote. I am contacting you to strongly urge you to support/oppose Bill XYZ and to do so publicly.”

    All of us doing this consistently will diminish the political impact of the proselytizing of religious “experts”, officials, and layity who insist they know the mind of the divine and claim to speak for a higher power.

    Neither today nor the next 3 1/2 years are the time for hand wringing. Sitting on the sidelines and waiting for “someone” to fix everything is not an option. Remember the 5 million (!) “ones” who showed up on no Kings Day. The power of “one” is multiplied and strengthened when working in unison with other “ones” toward a common goal and for the common good.

  1. Walter J. Holbrook's Avatar Walter J. Holbrook

    I am not God. No comment

  1. Warren Calvin Wall's Avatar Warren Calvin Wall

    How about the government not being involved in marriage in the first place. It's none of their business who we wish to spend our lives with. Outside of the protection of minors, there is no Constitutional basis for government involvement.

  1. Rev Ned's Avatar Rev Ned

    Haters gotta hate! Covfefe!!

  1. Charles Hankins's Avatar Charles Hankins

    According to the word of God homosexuality is an abomination before him. And if God said it then I believe it and I'm going to follow it and as a preacher and Minister I will not marry the same sex couple under no circumstances it won't happen. Because for me to marry the same sex couple would be condoning same sex marriages and that's not right I'm not going to go against God's word I I'm not perfect I make mistakes but I'm not going to do that knowing full well that that is not what God wants done

    1. R. Don Elsey's Avatar R. Don Elsey

      I think you should do additional research - abomination is a contextual term and in this case refers to specific acts within a set of laws - many of these laws are not followed today - such as stoning someone for planting different crops next to each other - so you are picking and choosing what you want to support or not support

  1. Katherine G Young's Avatar Katherine G Young

    Love is Love.....

  1. Danielle Elizabeth Ostach's Avatar Danielle Elizabeth Ostach

    I fully support same sex marriages. It is act of love and caring. If the southern baptists won't marry them, I will be happy to perform the ceremony.

    Some in the various churches would say that Marriage is solely for purpose of procreation (should not happen outside marriage, should happen once married.) but that is their faith and it is not a legal issue.

    The legal foundation basic: You can not have something legally that a man can do that a woman can not. This includes the legal contract of marriage with the associated legal rights and obligations. So you can't allow a man to marry a woman if a woman can't do the same and you can't allow a woman to marry a man unless a man can do so as well. This will remain until such time as there is major change in laws on the books.

  1. Benton Wade Standard's Avatar Benton Wade Standard

    Anyone that opposes gay marriage but doesn't do the same thing in regards to interracial marriage is a hypocrite with no credibility and most of these fundies lack credibility.

  1. Ryan Neil Pemberton's Avatar Ryan Neil Pemberton

    I totally disagree with Gay marriage.it does say in the Bible it is a abomination to God,and Jesus.that a intimate relationship be between two of the same man and man,or woman and woman.

  1. Joe R Day's Avatar Joe R Day

    As a hetero human, I have been divorced 3 times and married 4 times... In my long life, I have always been an advocate for loving another person, no matter what the sex is... If someone wants to make that commitment? I support their choice. Marriage between two adults should not be blocked nor denigrated in the name of some imaginary 'God'...

  1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

    Dont get your knickers in a knot. All this means is the Southern Baptist Church wont recognize gay marriage as valid. That means they wont allow it to be done in their churches nor will they allow their pastors to preform same. They cant stop it, only Congress can.

    1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

      Daniel,

      They have chosen to jump into the arena of politics by working toward specific legislation with the express purpose of filing suit to overturn prior precidents (like what happened w/ Roe v. Wade), which makes them a Political Action Committee (PAC), not a church/religious organization. This should cause their religious non-profit status to be revoked. They already have the power and the option to exclude same-sex couples from their churches, leadership, and rituals as a statement of their faith. They are trying to push for making their faith statement the law of the land.

  1. Jimmie Albert Fairres's Avatar Jimmie Albert Fairres

    Same sex marriage is wrong. God flooded the world to get rid of the sick people.

    1. Robert Philip Ryden's Avatar Robert Philip Ryden

      And that included drowning all the children and babies, who presumably were not big sinners. When god gets it in his head to kill people, he is very thorough about it. He is a mass murderer, but go ahead, pretend that he is merciful and loving.

  1. Rev Samantha Counihan's Avatar Rev Samantha Counihan

    no baptist has the right to "stop" same sex marriage, love is love, and ill still officiate same sex weddings and handfastings because baptists dont speak for me nor for anyone else but themselves and their hate towards others, same sex weddings is one of my services and its gonna stay that way whether baptists likes it or not

  1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

    Gay couples should have the same opportunity to marry as heterosexual couples have. They should have the same opportunity to be as miserable as heterosexual couples.

  1. Keith Jerome Jensen's Avatar Keith Jerome Jensen

    I believe this could be the time bringing back polygamy. Adding to biblical awareness. Seems more productive way forward. It could be a time of self reflection and correction. May peace enter our minds .and love control our actions. ✌️ ☮️ 🕊

  1. Blake Andrew Tallman's Avatar Blake Andrew Tallman

    those of us that r part of the LGBTQ community r us no matter what im a gay man myself and the religions say they r being persecuted when they r persecuting everyone else its sad sick and sadistic behavior from them they r all acting like monkeys without tails and dont realise that the universe created as we r if the ignorant heteroe religious parents cant love thier kids for who they r the moment they r born then they r not parents but charletons and fakes and live under the guise of the cross just as thier ignorant counterparts from history did the same thing

  1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

    To put a little different spin on this, any religious organization (with few exceptions) have the right to exclude membership and rituals to any people they don't believe worthy. Catholics will not allow a Presbyterian to take communion in a Catholic ceremony, for example. With few exceptions, this does little harm to anyone. If the Catholics, however, wanted the US to make a law that for anyone in the country to receive communion, they would have to covert to Catholicism, there would be significant uproar. I don't see much difference here. The SBC has crossed the line, and as such, if they choose to jump into the legislative/political arena with their "moral" values, they should have their [religion/church-based] non-profit status revoked and become a PAC.

    1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

      Every religion believes that they are the one and only one and that all others are wrong.

      1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

        Alexander, I have to respond to your bold statement. Not every religion, nor does every faction of those who do believe that all others are wrong. UU and ULC are primarily Christian, but hold respect and space for those of other faiths. Buddhism can be integrated into most other religions, and fits nicely with Christian practices and spirituality (check out a book by Dr. Duane Bidwell called "When One Religion is Not Enough: The Lives of Spiritually Fluid People."

      2. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

        Alexander - Theistic religions, yes. Non-theistic, no. (Just a minor adjustment - not criticism.)

  1. Michael Sharp's Avatar Michael Sharp

    I voted for Trump and stand with him on certain issues like getting rid of the excess government offices that do nothing, removing illegals (please stop calling them undocumented immigrants, they are here illegally!). I don’t stand behind him on the LGBTQ issue. One of my children is non-binary and another is transgender. I love them both with all my heart. I’m hurt by the discrimination and hatred towards them. All they want to do is be themselves. Doesn’t the Bible say that we should love everyone?

    1. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      He made his hatred of transgender people very clear well before the election, and his administration has done nothing but encourage that hatred for years. I don't see how you could've missed that. Your children very likely did not, and know that you voted for him anyway. The Bible does say we should love everyone, including foreigners...we cannot cherry-pick who we hate, it all goes into one big hate pot. Either you don't discriminate against anyone, or you have joined in the discrimination against everyone. That's how people like Trump work, he offers full-spectrum hatred against his chosen enemies, and he campaigns to make them look like enemies so he can then make a show of making the country "safe".

      Btw, some of those "excess offices" were keeping children alive in Sudan and other places that have nothing and cannot do anything to help their own people. Many of those children have now starved to death or died from lack of medication directly because Trump sicced his pet Musk on those departments, and helping children not to die was considered "excess". Those children will never be alive again. They are rotting in the ground now. They would have lived if USAID had not been cut. This was not a coincidence or "just one of those things."

      Trump killed those children, and he chose to knowing what would happen. They were of no consequence to him, just like all the American transgender people he and his administration are attempting to destroy. They are the lowest-hanging fruit, the least popular of the minority groups, so they get to be the scapegoats of an administration that needs its supporters to hate someone because that illusion that they are "fixing" things by attacking those groups is all they have to offer. Trans kids will die in droves once there is nowhere they can get help, and trans adults will be next, and Trump will crow that he helped America by getting rid of "the enemy within."

  1. Delight Phillips's Avatar Delight Phillips

    Get a life and let others do the same. Christ was never a Hatemonger! I don't remember Christ ever saying, "You're Fat, You're Ugly, You're Gay. Be Gone!" Our present administration, has made Hate Acceptable. That does not mean we have to feed into it. It's not my lifestyle, but there are much, much worse things to be. I'm sick and tired of people using the bible and children as an excuse for their bigotry. "We have to protect our children from what they SEE, what they READ, what they HEAR, what they THINK!" Don't protect your child from the things in the world. TEACH THEM! Teach them to understand the world. Let them choose their own path. Don't brainwash them and force them onto your path. Prepare them for the world. Do what you were put on this earth for. I look at Steven Miller on TV and see how utterly evil he is. Then, they show him as a child and in high school. He was full of vile and hate then. What a child learns as a child, he becomes as an adult. He was a vile child and he's an adult full of venom. I'm not being hard on him. Anyone listening to him, can identify the prejudice and hate, within seconds. Your child is not going to be a saint, but don't raise a demon and then say, "I never saw it. It's not my fault!"

  1. Carly Danyel Cramblit's Avatar Carly Danyel Cramblit

    If you don't like gay marriage, don't say yes when a gay person asks you to marry them even better yet, when will humanity wake up and progress pass the idea that any sky daddy exists? in the words of Christopher Hitches - religion is poison and we'd be better off without it.

  1. Gary's Avatar Gary

    If the Southern Baptists do not like gay marriage, then they do not have a gay marriage.

    No one gave the Southern Baptists the right to decide who I should marry as I am not a Southern Baptist.

  1. Rev. BH's Avatar Rev. BH

    SOJ - as usual, I have no idea what you're trying to say.

    1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

      Neither does he. Under the Full Faith and Credit clause of the Constitution if you are married in one State you are married in ALL states. So effectively you have been married in all states.

  1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

    All states require a marriage license.

    A licence is permission to something which is otherwise illegal.

    It's illegal for anyone to get married in all states.

    Wake up.

  1. Rudolph M Garza's Avatar Rudolph M Garza

    There's a Southern Baptist vote at their Convention! Who you gonna call?

    GHOST BUSTERS! Oops....

    Make that a ULC minister! LOL

  1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

    The god of the muslims is Satan. BIG difference. But you keep trying.

    1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

      No, Satan is not their god. They call their god Allah, which translates to "God", as in the Abrahamic God that Christians also follow. They just have different beliefs as to who the primary prophet was. Christians have Jesus, Muslims have Mohammed. Muslims also consider Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus to be prophets, but they believe the verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad by God, through the archangel Gabriel, and are the unaltered word of God, while the Bible and Talmud are claimed to have become distorted—either in interpretation, in text, or both.

      1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

        Wrong on all accounts. Satan has you blinded. allah is not GOD. He is Satan in disguise. And mo- ham- head is no prophet, only a fake.

        1. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

          Except, the one that is wrong on all accounts is yourself. You've blinded yourself with your hate.

          Allah is God. The same God you worship. If you are saying that Allah is Satan, that would mean that your God is also Satan.

          I have seen people claim that if God is all powerful as some claim, then he or she would also be Satan...aka, they are one in the same.

          1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

            Keith, the God of the bible is quite different than Allah. The two are in conflict with one another.

            I wish things were as easy as saying something and it becomes truth but it's not.

            When your understanding of God and Allah grows beyond a Google translation you'll be in a much better place.

        2. Michael Sharp's Avatar Michael Sharp

          Have you studied the Koran? I have and you are sadly mistaken.

      2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

        Michael,

        Islam and Christianity are diametrically opposed to the point that each fits into the final judgement as Satan. Jesus isn't the son of God to Islam and Mohammed isn't a prophet to Christianity.

        Literally each is in each other's final prophecy as the opposition.

        Allah most definitely does not translate into God when using Biblical definitions nor does Jesus equate to God in the Quran.

        Either one is wrong or both are wrong but both are not right by any stretch.

        1. Warren Calvin Wall's Avatar Warren Calvin Wall

          The religions of Judea, Muslim, and Christianity are not centered on the same God. They are centered on Abraham. That's where all 3 come together.

    2. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

      Based on your own posts.. your God is Satan.

  1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

    GOD has already ruled against the sodomites. Repent.

    1. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

      Jimmy - how has GOD already ruled against the sodomites?

      Are you talking about Leviticus 18:22 and 21:30? That was an issue regarding the Canaanites using male temple prostitutes in their religious ceremonies. It had nothing to do with two people of the same gender.

      How about Romans 1:26? Oh, if you only knew the historicity of your own religion. Paul/Saul was observing a religious ceremony to the goddess Dianna. It had to do with hopes of increase calvings & lambings, and also improved crops. This event ended up in an orgy! It had nothing to do with any feelings between to males or two femails.

      1Cor6:9-10. Take a peek at the KJV1611 version of your own Bible. the term 'homosexual' does not even appear there. That was added more recently. So much for 'shall not change the Word of God, one tittle.'

      1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

        You sound like you are lost. I could be wrong, but your interpretation is sorely lacking. Repent and be filled with the Holy Spirit and gain the wisdom to understand. Until then, KJV Matthew 7:6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."

        1. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

          Jimmy - Not to brag, but have you studied the historicity and culture of Christianity? I have.

          How am I lost?

          1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

            Only a heart knowledge of JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR will do you any good. Historical knowledge is just like reading about WWII history. It won’t get you to Heaven.

            1. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

              Jimmy, that’s not God speaking to you… It’s the Devil. You seem to miss how much the bible has been rewritten to fit certain people's own desires, and not the word of God!

              1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

                Bless your heart. You need help. And GOD is the only help you need, but I think you are rejecting HIM.

              2. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

                No, I just need people with your beliefs to leave me and my kind alone. Mind your own business and stop trying to make me live by your rules. I think that is what God really wants. He told me.

              3. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

                You are confused. I am not in your business if I have never spoken to you. You live by your rules. Live like Hell if you want. Sin to the max. Break all the commandments. The truth is all around you.

              4. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

                Jimmy, I am not confused. Your arguments against sodomites about this article make me believe that you agree with the Southern Baptists on ending same-sex marriage. That means you are in my business, wanting something stopped that does not affect you. So again, stay out of my business. My marriage has nothing to do with you or the Southern Baptists. Stop playing God and let him judge. I think you’ll be surprised.

              5. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

                Jimmy - when has assumption worked out for you in the past? Maybe you should educate yourself before condemning someone just because they hold a different perspective than you.

              6. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

                Sorry lady, I condemned no one. I can only point to the only way to Heaven. JESUS CHRIST.

              7. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

                Jimmy - you condemned nobody?

                "And GOD is the only help you need, but I think you are rejecting HIM."

                Do you think that demanding others have to believe as you do as being beneficial to them?

                What you have been spewing is that of your faith-based belief. None of it is based on empirical evidence, but purely what you believe.

                If someone does not agree with your thinking, fine! Let them go and you go on your own way.

                Simple.

            2. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

              According to multiple religions, your claims here are inaccurate.

              It seems that you want everyone to blindly follow your faith. It really seems like your interpretations are sorely lacking. You've spent multiple posts attacking others. You insinuate others are committing Sins, but what does this say about you?

    2. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Which God is that? Is it the one in 2 Kings 2 that that killed 42 children for ridiculing a bald man?

      🦁❤️

      1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

        It is the exact same GOD of the Bible. Good call.

        1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

          Oh okay. He’s the one that drowned babies, infants, children etc., right? Do people actually worship that genocidal monster then?

          🦁❤️

        2. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

          Jimmy - as you seem to acknowledge that the Bible claimed that your God of Abraham drowned nearly all life in the world, including infants and babies, that caused two she-bears to maul 42 children for teasing a bald man, who endorses slavery including the instructions on how to treat them (if you beat them and they get up in a day or two, no crime and no foul.)

          Why do you endorse such a deity that DEMANDS that if even your brother becomes an apostate, that you must kill him? Even in Islam, that is not the case.

          1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

            Because HE IS GOD. Only HE can make the rules. If you don't like it, make your own world where you set the rules. But you have to use only what you have created personally. Not anything GOD has already created. I'll stick to this verse. Matthew 7:6

            1. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

              Jimmy - Please show empirical evidence that your faith-based beliefs are fact.

              "Only HE can make the rules." Does this mean that any other theology has to be wrong? Please prove your point.

              One last thing: What do you say to the more than one million Christian Buddhists?

              1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

                Sorry to be so long in getting back to you. I've been in the garden working. Also, empirical was a new word to me. I had to look it up. If you care to read these articles, here a couple of reasons GOD does exist. Thank you for your time. https://creationinsights.org/is-there-empirical-evidence-for-gods-existence/. Also, https://thechristiancorner.quora.com/Yes-There-IS-Empirical-Evidence-That-God-Exists.

            2. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

              Which GOD is he? There have been over 18000 of them in history. It seems like you are trying to claim that everyone is wrong but yourself.

              "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces." This verse, part of the Sermon on the Mount, advises against sharing sacred or valuable things with those who will not appreciate or respect them, potentially leading to harm for the giver, according to multiple Bible translations

              That is your Matthew 7:6 - It seems that the verse you like promotes being cruel to others. It also seems to imply that others can't appreciate things, with no evidence to support the claim. Explain to us what precisely is HOLY?

        3. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

          Jimmy - So that means also the God of the Jews and the God of the Muslims, right?

        4. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

          Which Bible?

    3. Lori-Ann Neeb's Avatar Lori-Ann Neeb

      Mr. Moon ... You are in for on huge surprise when the time someday comes for you to return Home and you see many of those you condemned in this life already there . God never judges anyone. We judge ourselves as to how well we lived out our own life charts before resuming our real lives there. It is between you and God why your chart has you living a life to believe as you do. That depends on what you wanted to learn or experience in this lifetime. God does never judge. He is the same God for all men. The fact that some people have different names for him is all on us, not Him. Everything that man has done against other men has always been all on us. Every different interpretation of beliefs and deeds done in that name has always been all on us alone .

      1. Jimmy Moon's Avatar Jimmy Moon

        I can tell you have never read the KJV Holy Bible. All I can say is, read Matthew 7:6.

        1. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

          See my previous post.

          1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

            Mr Moon,

            The trouble you're running into is you're trying to communicate with people who don't believe the bible is true and therefore simply can't comprehend what it says nor it's multitude of meanings with each verse.

            In other words, you're speaking trigonometry to 4 year olds. They just can't get it and they can't get that they can't get it. The bible says they won't understand the document beyond it's surface if they don't believe it. It's right there in black and white yet they're blind to it.

            I'm real sorry about that guys.

  1. Colleen McAllister's Avatar Colleen McAllister

    I am an Evangelical and a female. Do I think homosexuality is "normal"? No but we live in a fallen world and things here are not as God had planned. Therefore instead of judging those who live differently we need to embrace them. Most people do not choose their sexial preference so I do not see it as a sin. Same sex marriage should be accepted just as divorce is. A friend of mine once said that someone's sexual preference is none of our business unless we intend to have sex with them. Let the law stand.

    1. Michael Sharp's Avatar Michael Sharp

      How can we live in a fallen world? Isn’t god perfect?

  1. James Riggle-Johnson's Avatar James Riggle-Johnson

    Why do they keep singing the same tired song? Same-sex marriage hasn’t ended civilization. Society hasn’t fallen apart. If anything is threatening it, it’s religious zealots trying to force their beliefs onto everyone else—telling roughly 10% of the population how they should live.

    The real question is this: Should same-sex couples be treated as equals under the law, or does the Constitution allow for second-class citizens? Equal protection under federal law means everyone. At least, it should.

    All the opposition to same-sex marriage comes from religious groups and their followers—as if their religious freedom is more important than someone’s basic humanity. But no one is forcing churches to perform same-sex weddings. And let’s be honest—no same-sex couple wants to be married by someone who thinks their existence is sinful.

    Religious freedom matters—but so does personal freedom. And both should be protected.

    Groups like the Southern Baptist Convention—and certain state lawmakers who share their religious agenda—are fighting something that doesn’t affect them at all. These aren’t just neutral legislators; many are driven by the same theology and dogma that fuels these anti-LGBTQ efforts. They say LGBTQ people should “keep it in the bedroom,” but they’re the ones peeking through our windows. They say we’re divisive, while they’re the ones drawing the lines.

    Knock it off. Stay out of my home, my marriage, and my life. If you want to help society, focus on real problems—like starvation, gun violence, and poverty. Leave the LGBTQ community alone.

    1. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

      Very well said. Thank you for sharing.

    2. Delight Phillips's Avatar Delight Phillips

      They will never leave it alone. As long as man exist, there will be evil in men's minds. They must have someone to vilify. "The illegal Mexicans are all rapists and murderers", "Gays are indoctrinating our children and turning them Gay!" "Illegals are bringing thousands of children over the border and turning them into MS13 gang members" (Pam Bondi just said this), "They're eating the cats and dogs!" They will always thump their bibles and call themselves Godly, But, those "Other People" are from the Devil! There will always be weak minded people, ready to soak it up and follow!

  1. Nicholas J Page's Avatar Nicholas J Page

    As a heterosexual man this is definitely discrimination we have 2 gay girls living above us and I have offered my services to them.

    1. Tecla Caryl Loup's Avatar Tecla Caryl Loup

      So what did they say??

      1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

        Considering what "services" may have been offered my guess is that they said NO

    2. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

      I don't get it. How does two gay girls living above you make you discriminated against? Or did I just read it wrong? I presume the two girls living above you turned you down. So, if a straight female turns you down, is that discrimination too?

      1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

        Not necessarily but definitely smart.

    3. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

      What "services" did you offer them?

  1. Lawrence A. Benson's Avatar Lawrence A. Benson

    Somebody needs to re-read the story of Lot and his family, Sodom and Gomorrah. (and keep re-reading it until you get the true meaning). It seems to me that religious scholars need to spend less time "judging" others and more time worrying about themselves. Jesus lived with sinners and preached through example, not judgment. "Judge not lest you be judged". Jesus preaches about the golden rule and the dangers of hypocrisy.

    1. Dan Anderson's Avatar Dan Anderson

      Lawrence - May I made a minor editorial on your point with the fable of Lot & Company.

      Sodom & Gommorah were destroyed because of INHOSPITALITY AND RAPE.

      I can tell when people use this story to justify hatred of homosexuals that they have NOT read most, if not all of the Bible.

      Keep up the good work!

      1. A.E.'s Avatar A.E.

        Let's not forget that this inhospitality was specifically targeted at the poor, immigrants, and foreigners. I think we need to be worrying about the consequences of our resemblance to Sodom and her sisters in that way, rather than getting all fussy about who is consensually boinking.

    2. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

      Lawrence, where in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah does it mention Jesus? I get your point, but it gets watered down in the "mixed metaphor." AND, Dan is right about Sodom and Gomorrah being about inhospitality and the rape. Other agregious acts included giving children for the purposes of prostitution and slavery (known in today's world as human trafficing).

  1. Katina Ford's Avatar Katina Ford

    I myself, have been married to my wife for almost 8 years, June 17. We also live in a bible belt community of Mississippi. yes, we have had a few locals that dont agree with us as a married couple or even as a in general. But for the most of people here, they don't have much of a problem with it, once they meet us and get to know us for who we are. We own several businesses in our town and are well known for them. Customers show up every day, new and old ones, yet they never make any judgement calls. We dont choke people down with out lifestyle but when we introduce ourselves to others, it is this is my wife_____. So to say the least, everyone has their own opinion, but I feel we are all facing only ONE JUDGE. And that needs to left up to him, to guide us where he wants us and have the last say so. Women marry omen every day that are child molesters, as some women are too. Are they can marry someone that is a woman abuser, a murder, etc, The list goes on and on. So do we marry those people, just because they are the opposite sex, as oppose to who we love.(male or female). Remember-EVERYONE is entitled to be loved, even the murders and so on..

    1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

      My condolences in living in one of the most backward states in the US. I was stationed in Mississippi and have never met so many ignorant biased backward people.

  1. William E Muldrew's Avatar William E Muldrew

    Read your Bible, Adam and Eve, not Jane and Jennifer. That's why they world is going to burn.

    1. Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox's Avatar Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox

      YOUR world might be burning but if it is it’s not due to same sex marriage. Nor is it due to the existence of transgender human beings. In fact, it’s not due to anything other than your own hatred and misdirected anger.

      1. Raymond Eagan's Avatar Raymond Eagan

        I could care less about a person's sexuality. What I am tired of is the gay and transgender people constantly throwing in our faces every day. Live your sex life the way you want but keep quiet about it. No one cares about your sexual life style.

        1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

          I preferred when "they" were in the closet.

        2. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

          Clearly the SBC does, whether anyone is talking to them about it or not. I guess protesting being attacked by the SBC would be throwing it in people's faces, though, so they are supposed to just put up and shut up? How is that fair?

          1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

            No they are not supposed to just put up and shut up. I have a problem with in-your-face activity. A persons choice is their right whether I agree with that choice. Gay pride, yes. Gay pride parade, not so much.

    2. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

      The world is going to burn because of global warming since no one in a position of power cares to do anything about it. The LGBTQ community won't be the reason.

      1. James Trenton Smith's Avatar James Trenton Smith

        The world is not going to burn as a result of "man-made" global warming. The world will burn as a result of Judgement. Man is not capable of destroying this world. That judgement is reserved for a specific time and place, known by God, and described in the scriptures.

        1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

          Yes. MAN is capable of destroying the world. Nuclear weapons can destroy all living forms of life.

    3. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Is it that the same book that talks about a talking Snake and a Talking Ass, and a Unicorn, and a man walking on water that was born to a 13 or 14 year old girl? Just asking for a friend of mine that loves other books of fiction like Alice In Wonderland, and Harry Potter. 🤭

      🦁♥️

      1. Michael Sharp's Avatar Michael Sharp

        I agree. IMO the Bible is stories made by people. People who believe in an invisible being that loves us so much that if we make one mistake we will be sent to a dark hot place forever. Sounds like love to me?

        1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

          Gods love is like a parents love. Parents love their children always but they do not always love what their children do. The (insert religious book here) was written by man to control man and to keep women in their place.

    4. Rev. BH's Avatar Rev. BH

      William, and who did Adam and Eve's three sons impregnate? Mom? Yikes!

    5. Keith Ramsey's Avatar Keith Ramsey

      It seems like everyone that makes this statement, forgets the rest of their beliefs. According to those beliefs, every human was created by their God. So yes, their God created Adam and Eve, as well as Jane and Jennifer.

      1. Alexander Clarke's Avatar Alexander Clarke

        Humans are created by one sperm and one egg. The combining is a crap shoot of genetics. God, according to most religious dogma, gave us free will. To give free will one must give up control. One day we will all pass from this life. Then and only then will we know if what we believe and what we were taught is true or not.

    6. A.E.'s Avatar A.E.

      Adam and his transgender rib-clone.

      1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

        Since Adam was born first, and "gave birth to Eve," he is either the first transgender person or was a woman.

  1. Rev. MichaelRS's Avatar Rev. MichaelRS

    My personal opinion is that, as long as they are not forcing any particular religious faith or individual to act contrary to their teachings, same-sex marriage should remain the law of the land.

    Basically leave the Roman Catholics and Southern Baptist others alone if they don't want to perform and recognize those rites.

    There's always the Anglicans or the Metropolitan Community Church or City Hall as well as many here who will happily oblige.

    That being said, use whatever mental gymnastics you would like to, but whenever the judeo-christian scriptures touch on the subject of same-sex relationships it is not in the context of saying anything positive about them. But if your faith community has a different view... well, I guess we'll eventually find out which is right.

    And I know the atheist, who ironically like to call themselves "ministers", but ministers of what exactly I'm not sure, will weigh in on this. Though I'm not sure why they think they have standing to. This is a faith-based discussion and they, apparently, don't have any (faith).

    1. Michael Hunt's Avatar Michael Hunt

      Atheists have faith that there is no afterlife or higher being. They just have no core set of beliefs such as the Bible, Torah, Quran, etc.

      1. Bishop William Dusenberry, DD's Avatar Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

        As a ULC ordained minister, I advertise on my ULC minister’s website, that my SHP denomination of the ULC is (to the best of my knowledge) the only church which can actually prove the existence of God; we don’t have any commandments — however we have numerous moral recommendations, for example, if one’s sexual preferences, deviate from the norm, and no one is harmed (including minors) it’s no body’s business, except for those so involved. Those arrogant enough, to understand that what they consider right or wrong, should be right or wrong for everyone else, are the reason the word arrogant evolved in the first place— and if there’s afoot of all evil —it’s arrogance by true believers.

        1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

          a puffed up fake bishop claim again? You do know it takes a board to give you that title, not your drinking buddy...right?

  1. Rev. BH's Avatar Rev. BH

    OMg! I'm so scared of happily married gay couples in my neighborhood! (Remind me, what's the problem again?)

    1. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

      They give the guys in the SBC the ick when they spend a really, really long time imagining what happens in the gay couple's bedroom, that's a huge problem for those guys. How are they supposed to fantasize about other people having sex if it's sex they don't personally like?

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