The voice of civil rights leaders and preachers is giving wings to the passing of laws that go against biblical principles.
The Christian Post was there to cover the Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast and preceding press conference in which the trending topic was addressed.
Prominent black clergy, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, are encouraging American black voters to consider Maryland’s November ballot referendum on same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue, as opposed to a religious or political issue.
The question is now clear, and it’s an important one. With the loud voices of Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson dominating the airwaves, will conservative black religious leaders have a voice loud enough to stifle the influence they are having on the African American community?
Dozens of black clergy leaders gathered for a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., on Friday, Sept. 21 to discuss the same-sex marriage referendum. The press conference was headed by the Rev. Delman Coates, the senior pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Prince George’s County, Md.
“In a real sense, this is about preserving our democracy. We cannot as a nation spend billions of dollars every week to export freedom abroad, and then enact laws that deny freedom of fellow Americans here at home. That is not right,” Coates said about the legalization of same-sex marriage in Maryland, according to The Washington Post.
The Rev. Al Sharpton also spoke at the press conference, telling the pastors in attendance: “This is not an issue about gay or straight, this is a issue about civil rights and to take a position to limit the civil rights of any one is to take a position to limit the civil rights of everyone.”
The press conference was also attended by the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, pastor of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, which boasts 12,000 members, the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, and the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va., among others.
The pastors were visiting Washington D.C. to attend the Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast, which was held as a part of the 42nd Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative conference from Wednesday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept 23.
Sharpton’s remarks are in line with Rev. Jesse Jackson’s who recently performed a gay marriage ceremony and said that he has no problem marrying a gay couple.
The Christian Post points out that not all those attending the conference agreed with the legalization of same-sex marriage, which has been a hot topic of political discussion since President Barack Obama voiced his support for same-sex marriage in May.
In a roundtable discussion on the last day of the conference, the Rev. Annette Wilson outwardly opposed Obama’s view on same-sex marriage.
“When God says a man should not lie with another man as a woman, that’s what he meant,” she told those at the roundtable discussion.
“When He says that two women should not lie together as a man would a woman, that’s what He meant. He meant what He said, and we have to give an account for it. . . . When we know what God says and then go against it, there are consequences,” Wilson added.
Polls show overwhelming that Christians are the largest group backing the traditional definition of marriage. It seems like many civil rights leaders wearing the title of clergy are seeking to change the definition of marriage and soften the hearts towards the homosexual agenda. Backed by the President, Americans and believers are entering un-charted territory.
It should be noted that this is not just an Christian American struggle. Countries and religions all over the world are dealing with similar issues that effect gays. In the United Kingdom Pastors are fighting laws that would force them to marry gay couples. This year Taiwan held their first public gay marriage in a buddhist temple. Other religious Christian and Islamic countries threaten jail time and extreme discipline for performing ceremonies.
One thing is for sure, the issue of gay marriage and gay rights will be a long struggle for decades to come.
You can read more reactions and the full report at Christianpost.com
