Pastor Joe Carr of Waynesville
Missionary Baptist Church (Georgia) believes a day is fast approaching when
pastors will be charged with hate crimes for preaching that homosexuality is a
sin and churches will face anti-discrimination lawsuits for refusing to host
same-sex weddings. “What’s happening in
Europe, we’re going to see happen here and we’re going to see it happen sooner rather
than later I’m afraid,” says Carr.
And that’s why the congregation will
be voting next month to change their church by-laws “to officially ban the
usage of their facilities for gay marriages. We needed to have a clear statement,” Carr
told Fox News. “It’s to protect us from being forced to allow
someone to use our facilities who does not what we believe the Bible teaches …”
Their amendment to the by-laws reads – “These
facilities may only be used for weddings that adhere to the Biblical definition
of marriage and are solely reserved for use by members and their immediate family
members. These facilities may not be
used by any individual, group, or organization that advocate, endorse, or
promote homosexuality as an alternative or acceptable lifestyle. This policy also applies to birthday parties, reunions,
anniversaries, weddings or baby showers, etc.”
The church also included a passage to
protect their pastor noting that he/she is not obligated to perform any wedding
ceremony that would cause him/her to violate his/her conscience or conviction. “Under no circumstances is the pastor to
officiate, participate, or endorse any wedding ceremony that violates the
belief and teaching of this church body in accordance with the Bible,” the
statement read.
Even though Waynesville is a small
community, Pastor Carr said he fears they could be taken advantage of by gay
rights activists trying to “intimidate us.” And Waynesville Missionary Baptist Church isn’t
alone in their fears. Hundreds of
churches around the nation are considering similar changes to their constitutions
and by-laws as a result of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act.
Alliance
Defending Freedom,
a religious liberty legal organization, has already provided churches with sample
by-laws that define marriage. “I think
we’re in a day where every church needs to have a statement in its by-laws of
its doctrinal beliefs on marriage and sexuality,” attorney Erik Stanley told Baptist Press. “This is a proactive approach that churches
can take to head off any claims of discrimination in the future, should they
occur.”
Where are those who have argued the
so-called “separation of church and state?”
Maybe it is time to quote the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as it
is stated and originally intended – “Congress [government] shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Seems to me, that any anti-discrimination lawsuit
against a church or clergy refusing a gay marriage is a violation of their 1st
Amendment rights … Is it not?
Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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