The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, has overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on gay marriage, calling for a reversal of the US Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The resolution, passed at the denomination’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, reflects the Southern Baptists’ commitment to traditional values and their interpretation of God’s design for marriage and family.
The proposed resolution urges legislators to “pass laws that reflect the truth of creation and natural law — about marriage, sex, human life, and family” and to oppose laws contradicting “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.” The resolution also calls for the “overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that defy God’s design for marriage and family.” A reversal of Obergefell wouldn’t in and of itself be a ban, but the resolution calls “for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one woman.”
The resolution was passed without debate, reflecting the strong consensus among Southern Baptists on this issue. The denomination’s stance on gay marriage is rooted in its interpretation of biblical teachings and its commitment to traditional values. The vote comes amid controversy and challenges within the Southern Baptist Convention, including the recent death of Jennifer Lyell, a prominent whistleblower who alleged sexual abuse by a seminary professor.
Lyell’s death has sparked an outpouring of support and concern among advocates for reform and abuse survivors. Several abuse survivors and advocates for reform, who previously had a prominent presence in recent SBC meetings, are skipping this year’s gathering, citing lack of progress by the convention. Two people sought to fill that void, standing vigil outside of the meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas as attendees walked by. The pair held up signs with photos of Lyell and of Gareld Duane Rollins, who died earlier this spring and who was among those who accused longtime SBC power broker Paul Pressler of sexual abuse.
In addition to the resolution on gay marriage, the Southern Baptists also passed resolutions calling for legislators to curtail sports betting and to support policies that promote childbearing. These resolutions reflect the denomination’s commitment to traditional values and its concern for the well-being of families and communities. The Southern Baptist Convention’s stance on gay marriage is likely to have significant implications for the denomination and its relationships with other Christian denominations and the wider society.
While some may view the resolution as a reaffirmation of traditional values, others may see it as a divisive and exclusionary move that fails to recognize the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. The resolution also highlights the ongoing debates and challenges within the Southern Baptist Convention, including the denomination’s response to allegations of sexual abuse and its efforts to promote reform and accountability. As the denomination continues to navigate these complex issues, it remains to be seen how its stance on gay marriage will shape its relationships with other Christian denominations and the wider society.
