In a stunning reversal from a decade ago, some of the largest religious groups in the United States are worried that their opposition to same-sex marriage will make them outcasts in American society. Ten years ago same-sex couples said they were being stigmatized by religious groups. But a group that included Southern Baptists, evangelicals and Mormons, told the U.S. Supreme Court justices in a brief that they are already being “slandered” as bigots.
Catholic bishops, a national coalition of black pastors and other faith-based groups have also expressed their opposition to same-sex marriage. They fear that they will be stigmatized
“A decision that traditional marriage laws are grounded in animus would demean us and our beliefs,” the Baptists, evangelicals, Mormons and others told the justices. “It would stigmatize us as fools or bigots, akin to racists. In time it would impede full participation in democratic life, as our beliefs concerning marriage, family and sexuality are placed beyond the constitutional pale.”
Seventh-day Adventists and the Becket Fund – the law firm that represented Hobby Lobby in the contraceptive mandate in the Obamacare law – are asking the court to allow for “religious objectors” when it rules on the same-sex marriage case.
The Supreme Court is getting ready to hear arguments on same-sex marriage in a country where marriage of a man and a woman was the universal rule until recently.
A decision is expected before July, as public opinion has dramatically swung in favor of same-sex marriage.
“But before they lay down, the men of the city, [even] the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter.” Genesis 19:4
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