• Ban
• Gay Marriage
• Southern Baptist

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS ENDORSE BAN ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE, CALL FOR REVERSAL OF OBERGEFELL V. HODGES

• 

  CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
• 0
• 2 min read

The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, has overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on gay marriage and called for the reversal of the US Supreme Court’s 2015 precedent legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. The resolution, which was passed without debate, urges legislators to “pass laws that reflect the truth of creation and natural law — about marriage, sex, human life, and family” and to oppose laws contradicting “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.” The resolution specifically calls for the “overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that defy God’s design for marriage and family.” A reversal of Obergefell v. Hodges would not automatically ban same-sex marriage, but would pave the way for individual states to outlaw it. The resolution affirms that marriage should be between “one man and one woman.” The vote comes as the denomination is grappling with the aftermath of a major scandal involving sexual abuse. Jennifer Lyell, a prominent whistleblower who went public with allegations of abuse, died on Saturday at the age of 47. Lyell’s death has cast a pall over the gathering, with many advocates for reform and abuse survivors expressing frustration over the denomination’s slow progress in addressing the issue. “It’s not a healthy thing for them (survivors) to be here,” said Johnna Harris, host of a podcast on abuse in evangelical ministries. “I felt like it was important for someone to show up. I want people to know there are people who care.” Two people stood vigil outside the convention center, holding signs with photos of Lyell and Gareld Duane Rollins, who accused longtime SBC power broker Paul Pressler of sexual abuse. The SBC Executive Committee has acknowledged its failure to adequately respond to Lyell’s allegations and has promised reforms. However, advocates say that the denomination has not done enough to implement these reforms. Christa Brown, an abuse survivor and advocate, criticized the denomination’s “hollow words” and “impotent task forces” and questioned the Executive Committee’s commitment to creating a database to track pastors and church workers credibly accused of sex abuse. The convention will also consider other resolutions, including a ban on pornography and restrictions on sports betting. Messengers will also debate whether to institute a constitutional ban on churches with women pastors and to abolish the denomination’s public-policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.