The Southern Baptist Convention Calls for Overturning Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Ruling
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, has adopted a resolution calling for the overturning of the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. The resolution, titled ‘On Restoring Moral Clarity through God’s Design for Gender, Marriage, and the Family,’ explicitly criticizes the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling as a violation of divine principles and advocates for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one woman, protect children from sexual predation, and support traditional family values. The SBC also urges the defunding of Planned Parenthood, redirecting public funds to ‘life-affirming’ healthcare providers. In a statement, SBC resolution committee chair Dr. Andrew Walker emphasized that the denomination remains steadfast in its opposition to same-sex marriage despite growing cultural resistance. The resolution comes as the 10-year anniversary of the landmark decision approaches, sparking renewed debate over religious freedom versus civil rights.
The resolution, which spans multiple pages, includes a call for the repeal of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that ‘defy God’s design for marriage and family.’ It also outlines a range of policy proposals, including the protection of children’s innocence, the affirmation of parental rights in education and healthcare, and the incentivization of family formation through life-affirming policies. The SBC’s position is part of a broader conservative and evangelical movement that seeks to influence public policy and cultural norms in alignment with traditional religious teachings.
Dr. Walker, who described the SBC as the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., acknowledged the ‘headwinds’ faced by conservative Christians in a society increasingly accepting of LGBTQ+ rights. During a press conference, he stated that the resolution aims to reassure the SBC’s members that the denomination remains committed to the traditional definition of marriage. ‘There is very little desire, even on the conservative side, I think, to go to bat for marriage in this… culture,’ he said, adding that the resolution is meant to encourage other conservative-minded evangelicals to stand firm on this issue.
The resolution also includes a call to defund Planned Parenthood and redirect public funds to ‘life-affirming’ healthcare providers, a stance that reflects the SBC’s broader opposition to abortion and reproductive rights. This position aligns with other conservative religious groups that advocate for the protection of life from conception. The SBC’s stance is part of a larger conservative movement that seeks to influence public policy and cultural values through religious principles, even as tensions grow over the role of religion in public life.
As the 10-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision approaches, the resolution reflects an ongoing ideological battle over the role of the judiciary in shaping societal norms. Critics argue that the SBC’s position represents an attempt to undermine the legal and constitutional rights of same-sex couples, while supporters see it as a necessary defense of religious liberty and traditional values. The resolution is expected to spark further debate over the intersection of religion, law, and civil rights in the United States.