Maryland has a same-sex marriage bill coming to the ballots in November and many area Black clergy will oppose it as they do not view it as a civil rights issue. They’re being called bigots and wrong-headed and all kinds of other mean things and, while these things hurt their feelings, they’re going to stand fast. Why? Principles.  So the Prince George’s Baptist Association is preparing to knuckle up in the fall, hurt feelings and all.

[Rev. Nathaniel] Thomas and the 77 other Baptist ministers in the association do not see same-sex marriage as a civil rights matter. Rather, they say, it is a question of Scripture, of whether a country based on Judeo-Christian principles will honor what’s written in Romans or decide to make secular decisions about what’s right.

*Le grand sigh*

I’ve written at length before about gay marriage and law and such, but still wanted to offer the following in bullet point form:

  • Marriage is a contract between two people and THE STATE
  • To be considered legally married, you must apply for a license from THE STATE
  • If you don’t wish to be married in a religious ceremony, you can do that so long as your officiant is licensed by THE STATE
  • Matters of Scripture and faith are Church business that, according to the Constitution, should be separated from State business

Attention Black Pastors (And, Really, Anyone Who Feels The Need To Go Hard Body About This):

I know your hackles are begin raised over this issue, but you need to come to understand a hard reality: Judeo-Christian principles aside, THE STATE is more powerful than you are. You’re powerful–quite powerful–but ultimately, the power lies with THE STATE and the legal principles it was founded out–that’s why there is a Supreme Court and not a Supreme Clergy.

Sure, it’s pretty chezzer to be on the most influential team–and you’ve certainly bullied, cajoled and intimidated your way to some choice wins–but being on said team does not mean your dictates hold all the sway. They can’t and, according to the Founding Fathers, they shouldn’t. For all its warts, America could not function as America if this were not true.

And I know you believe in the Scriptures, but you can’t prove they’re true anymore than an atheist can prove they are not. So where does that leave us in Personal Beliefs v. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? It leaves us dealing with the plane of existence we all agree exists. It leaves us with the Law. These laws that you sometimes hate also protect you from The State meddling in your business unless they feel like. Then, they’re gonna do that shit.

Some things to think about:

  • You don’t have to marry gay people in your church. That’s against your beliefs and, if those are your principles, you should stick to them.
  • You also don’t have to infringe your views on marriage on EVERYONE IN AMERICA.

Consider this narrative:

  • “It’s our constitutional right to disagree. On spiritual grounds, we rebuke the notion of same-sex marriage.  However, the Constitution allows us to rebuke said notion without fear of interference or prosecution because the Framers knew separating our business from State business would be a good idea. We would really, really love it if everyone saw things our way–and we think you really, really should–but we can’t prove we’re right on legal grounds that apply to everybody. Again, we don’t think it’s a good idea for you to disagree with us on the marriage issue but, as marriage is sanctioned by the State, we don’t have many legal cards to play. We understand this is about the law of the land and not the law of our church, so we’re going to sit quietly and not be dicks about it.”

Mull it over.

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