Pastors Warn The Supreme Court Not To Legalize Gay Marriage

With the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality likely just days away, a group of pastors have started a petition against a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. In the petition, the pastors promise civil disobedience if the Supreme Court does, in fact, rule in favor of gay marriage. As the Christian Post reported, the signers of the pledge are prepared to resist any ruling contrary to their position and are willing to accept legal consequences.

“Those who signed the petition will resist all government efforts to require them to accept gay marriage. They will accept any fine or punishment — including jail time — to protect their religious freedom and the freedom of others.”

The “Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage” used previous rulings by the high court to undermine the very possible legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide. In the petition, the writers mentioned rulings like Buck v. Bell, when the court ruled in favor of forced sterilization. Another mentioned case was Dred Scott v. Sandford, where the Supreme Court ruled that African Americans could not be United States citizens.

“Family is the first vital cell of society, the first government, and the first mediating institution of our social order.”

In the petition, the authors claim that no government has the authority to redefine marriage. The pledge goes on to warn that religious freedoms of Americans will be infringed on if the court sides with same-sex couples.

“Experience and history have shown us that if the government redefines marriage to grant a legal equivalency to same-sex couples, that same government will then enforce such an action with the police power of the State. This will bring about an inevitable collision with religious freedom and conscience rights. The precedent established will leave no room for any limitation on what can constitute such a redefined notion of marriage or human sexuality. We cannot and will not allow this to occur on our watch. Religious freedom is the first freedom in the American experiment for good reason,”

According to the Blaze, the petition already has over 42,000 signatures. Among the pastors politicians that signed the petition was former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. Huckabee has long been a vocal supporter of traditional marriage. The former governor recently announced that he’s once again running for president.

Other key signers of the document included Rick Santorum, Rev. Rick Scarborough, and Bishop Harry R. Jackson. You can view the full list of key signers here.

The Supreme Court appeared split on redefining marriage during arguments. A Supreme Court decision is expected to come later this month.

[Photo by Drew Angerer / Getty Images]