Southern Baptists Agree Same-Sex Marriage Not a Civil Rights Issue

Messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, America's largest Protestant denomination, overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on the last day of their annual meeting denouncing "the effort to legalize 'same-sex marriage' as a civil rights issue since homosexuality does not qualify as a class meriting special protections, like race and gender," the Christian Post reports. The resolution, titled "'Same-Sex Marriage' and Civil Rights Rhetoric," was a direct response to President Obama's personal affirmation of gay marriage and recent federal lawsuits against the Defense of Marriage Act, a spokesperson said. "I think it is important the largest Protestant denomination in the United States made it clear where they stand on this issue and made it clear that they are offended by the attempt to use civil rights rhetoric to argue for same-sex marriage," said Dr. Richard Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. The resolution also called on those affiliated with the denomination to stand against "gay-bashing" and to "engage in compassionate, redemptive ministry" for homosexuals.