Southern Baptist leaders have descended upon New Orleans for their annual conference, and the uber conservative denomination says they are attempting to broaden their appeal beyond its traditional white Southern base. This branching out welcomes an African American leader, however, doesn’t include accepting gay marriage or acknowledging that gay rights are civil rights.
The traditionally racist group made history by electing their first black president earlier this week, but that’s about as far outside the box as they’re willing to go. Southern Baptist leaders voted almost unanimously on Wednesday in favor of a resolution that defines marriage as “the exclusive union of one man and one woman” and that “all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful.”
While the resolution acknowledges that gays and lesbians experience “unique struggles,” it goes on to say that the LGBT community doesn’t have “distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections.”
“It is regrettable that homosexual rights activists and those who are promoting the recognition of ‘same-sex marriage’ have misappropriated the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement,” the resolution states.
Another resolution passed at the Southern Baptist conference calls for the U.S. Justice Department to stop their push to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. It also says the Obama administration should ensure that military personnel and chaplains have the right freely express their religious opposition to homosexuality.
