The United Church of Christ (UCC) in Charlotte, North Carolina filed a federal lawsuit against the new state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman claiming that the citizens' 2012 ballot decision violates the First Amendment right of apostate "christians" to celebrate that which God condemns: Homosexual behavior.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
United Church of Christ Eliminates 'Heavenly Father'
UCC Supervisor Bans Jesus & Bible from VA Chaplains
Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture
New York Methodist Bishop Allows Same-sex Marriages
President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy
In addition, read how activist judges across America are forbidding voters the right to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
-- From "North Carolina Clergy Bring Challenge to State Gay Marriage Ban" by Hasani Gittens, NBC News 4/28/14
Rev. Joe Hoffman, Senior Minister of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, in Asheville, noted that his denomination has supported same-sex rights for years, but faces the penalty of a misdemeanor if he performed any marriage ceremonies for them, which he has.
Hoffman is among the coalition of clergy bringing the case, which was spearheaded by the campaign for Southern Equality [CSE].
Of the scores of same-sex marriage lawsuits filed around the country, the group says this is the first one based on a First Amendment religious-freedom argument, as opposed to the 14th Amendment equal-protection arguments.
The official defendant in the case is North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, whose office did not return calls for comment on Monday.
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From "United Church of Christ Challenges North Carolina's Same-Sex Marriage Ban on Religious Liberty Grounds" by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter 4/29/14
"The United Church of Christ is an inclusive church of extravagant welcome, founded on the Constitution's guarantee of the free exercise of religion, and the United Church of Christ believes this freedom should be guarded, protected and defended," said the Rev. Bernard R. Wilson, chairperson of the United Church of Christ Board, in a statement on Monday. "That is the reason the UCC took this legal action in North Carolina today."
Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the NC Values Coalition and former Chairwoman of Vote for Marriage NC, responded in a statement on Monday to the lawsuit, which was filed by several members of the clergy and six same-sex couples:
"This is sadly, and predictably, the 'lawsuit of the week' filed by those who want to impose same-sex marriage on North Carolina, in spite of the fact that 61% of the voters passed the Marriage Amendment 2 years ago. North Carolinians had good reason to protect marriage in our Constitution, recognizing that the union of a man and woman plays an irreplaceable role in the health of society, first of which is the protection of children."
Fitzgerald said, however, that it is "both ironic and sad that an entire religious denomination and its clergy who purport holding to Christian teachings on marriage would look to the courts to justify their errant beliefs. These individuals are simply revisionists that distort the teaching of Scripture to justify sexual revolution, not marital sanctity."
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Also read American Decline: Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians as well as America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
