Black Pastors Unite Against NAACP's Gay Marriage Support

Is civil marriage a civil right?

The recent endorsement of gay marriage by the country's number one organization representing African-American interests, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is apparently not sitting well with another interested group: The Coalition of African-American Pastors, or CAAP.

Yahoo! reports that CAAP has launched a petition to oppose the legal redefinition of marriage to include same-sex couples, in a move contradicting the historic stance taken by the NAACP.

"We who marched with Rev. King did not march one inch or one mile to promote same-sex marriage," said CAAP founder and president Rev. William Owens, downplaying the link some have draw between the Civil Rights Movement and the push for gay marriage. "Same-sex marriage is an attempt to do the opposite of what Rev. King did."

In announcing the NAACP's official support for gay marriage last Satuday, president Benjamin Jealous stated that "Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law," and observed its "origins in the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people."

What do you think here: is civil marriage a civil right?

[Justus]

I hope the black community will wise up to the likes of the NAACP,Al Sharptons and Jessie Jacksons of this world. Along with the Democrats Party. These folks are nothing but pimps that really look out for self and live off the blood of those in need. The elite in both parties are sucking us dry but these folks live off of hate and division. If the white and black community would come together we could make strides against those within that are killing our nation! God Bless all these ministers you can bet if they stand their ground the afore mentioned will go after them.

[rlstowe3]

If civil marriage were a right, one would not have to buy a marriage license.

[IHateSyracuse]

I find the black churches stance on gay marriage a joke. I personally voted in NC to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. However, I wonder why the black church uses this topic to show descent from its community. We have an 80% single parent household. We have a 45% graduation rate. We have a 30 incarceration rate amongst our black men. We have unemployment rates as high as 40% in some areas of the country.

When will the black church finally do what it is supposed to do? Stop pacifying us and making excuses for our behaviors. Stop blaming others for our circumstances. Stop using the Bible as a weapon to damn others and start using it as a tool to support, enrich, and comfort.

It is the same Bible that speaks against crime, bastardizing ones children, unemployment, and theft, that also speaks against homosexuality. I am not defending any of the behaviors stated above, I am just curious as to why the church chooses to pick this topic against those people. My God and Bible tells me to love all people.

I voted for Amendment 1 in NC! I am not suggesting that the black church should support gay marriage, but I am saying we have much larger issues according to the word of God. We could touch so many more lives if we would just stop pushing the real issues under the rug.

[Wilderide]

The Bible also supports slavery. But I guess as long as you love your slaves and don't beat them to death it's OK. Also, homosexuality is not a behavior, just like heterosexuality is not a behavior.

[classychazy]

If you believe everything in the Bible as fact. Then sir you are a fool!

[stevn036]

Let's not pick which scripture to make illegal, let's make them all. slavery, interracial marriage, judgement.. Boy, that would really offend some.

[nogays]

I support these Black Pastors 100%

[ir0nw0lfe]

I'm not sure your position on this issue is clear. :)

[BrockBlue]

There is a difference between civil marriage and religious marriage. No one I know supports forcing pastors to perform marriages they don't believe in, but many people I know also support denying pastors who do wish to perform same-sex marriages from doing so. And any couple should have the right to walk into THEIR county courthouse and get married before a magistrate.

[MarkJM]

If Marriage were to be a right, then marriage licenses would not have to be issued upon marriage. Additionally, divorce proceedings would not have to go through a court of law when that time comes (according to studies, 50% of marriages end in divorce). I for one praise these Black Pastors for standing up to the politically motivated NAACP (who is only favoring gay marriage as a means to help 0bama win reelection).

[uberlord]

"You can't legislate morality."...Barry Goldwater

[drumminitup]

It is their right to voice their opinion. They have the choice not to support gay marriage just like people who do support it. I do not support it and that is my right as an american. People need to stop forcing their views on other people because they disagree. We will all have our day of judgement and that is up to God.

[LeslieAbi]

I'm glad they are standing up for what they believe in!

[Wilderide]

Except that they are standing up for bigotry.

[CanadianIndy]

True, and I'm all up for standing up for what you believe in. But to be bigots towards a people group, and then complain about black rights or the inclusion of church within state...well, then it becomes just a little bit hypocritical.

[Wilderide]

Few things are more ironic than a black bigot. Anyone who suffered from bigotry and then turns around and perpetrates it themselves learned nothing from their experience, and are sad, pathetic idiots.

[Wilderide]

It's remarkable how much the black community has embraced the religion of their former oppressors. I mean, here is a book (the Bible) which embraces slavery. Helloooo?

[ir0nw0lfe]

Come again? How does the Bible embrace slavery?

[classychazy]

Read your Bible it speaks very clearly about slavery, beating your wife properly, and putting your wife out of the house two weeks out of the month. The Bible was written by sexist racist men. Anyone who believes every word written in this book is a fool!

[Thumper]

You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men" (1 Cor 7: 21-24).

Do not become slaves of men? That hardly sounds like an unqualified endorsement of slavery.

That Paul did not approve of slavery as an institution can be seen in his first letter to Timothy (1:10), where he includes "slave traders" (literally "men-stealers," andrapodistais) among the "lawless and disobedient," "godless and sinful," "unholy and profane.

Guess I am one of those "fools". Perhaps you watch toooo much TV.

[MzPollytics]

Uh-Oh, this is warming up isnt it? MLK wouldv'e spoke out against this, he was guided by the bible.

[InfidelCowboy]

I support the pastors.

[Elise]

Whether it is or is not a right, it needs to be the same for straight or gay couples.

[Dash-Riprock]

The CAAP theists should keep their religion inside their closets and in their churches (where it belongs), and not impose their woo-woo on all tax-paying citizens. If they don't want to perform certain ceremonies in their own private churches, so be it. But, to try to deny equal protection and equal rights to certain segments of society in the public sphere is un-American.

[dances-weebles]

yes

[Tom]

Why do black people want to uphold a religion/ideology that fucked them over in the first place?!

On another note, people don't choose to be gay. Nuff said. They are born that way. They deserve the same rights as everybody else. Just as being born black or asian or hispanic should afford you all of the same rights as everybody else!

[abner232]

yes

[AreYouSerious]

Way to stand your ground against a group seeking equality in civil rights...while still wanting restitution ($$) for your ancestors several generations back who suffered the same challenge! Who really wants to get married anyway though?