100 Black Detroit Pastors Say They Are Offended When Same Sex Marriage is Compared to the Civil Rights Movement

Teresa Neumann : May 15, 2014
Niraj Warikoo – Detroit Free Press

"Two-thirds of black voters in Michigan supported the marriage protection amendment; without a shadow of a doubt, black people disproportionally support traditional marriage protection in this state. We are stepping up to the plate, refusing to let our voting rights be ignored." -Rev. Stacy Swimp

REPORTER'S NOTE: For those in agreement with the stand these pastors are taking—and if you would like to have your "voice" heard as well—be sure to check the bottom of this article for contact information. -Teresa Neumann, BCN.

(Detroit, MI) —About 100 predominately African-American pastors in the Detroit area who oppose gay marriage are filing a brief with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals after that court, led by Judge Bernard Friedman, ruled that the 2004 voter-approved amendment to the state Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional. (Photo via Detroit Free Press)

The coalition of pastors, said to be "outraged" by the ruling, are particularly offended at comparisons that are being made between gay marriage and civil rights.

Said minister Stacy Swimp, founder of Revive Alive Missional Ministry, "To state that marriage redefinition is in any way similar to the civil rights movement is intellectually empty, dishonest and manufactured. When has anyone from the LGBT demographic ever been publicly lynched, specifically excluded from moving into neighborhoods, prohibited from sitting on a jury and denied the right to sue others because of their sexual preferences?"

"We think it's insulting and disrespectful to hundreds of years of struggle," she continued, "of sacrifice… of loss of life both black and white on behalf of equality for Black Americans." (Photo via Detroit Free Press)

Rev. Dr. Randolph Thomas, senior pastor of Greater Bethlehem Church and president of the Westside Minister's Alliance, was quoted in Charisma News as saying, "We will not follow men who would rather believe a lie than the truth . We cannot and will not endorse anyone who blatantly blasphemes the Word of God and leads people in the wrong direction."

Another leader, Apostle Lennell Caldwell, was also quoted in that report as inviting anyone from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky or Tennessee "who wants to make sure your voice is represented" to stand up for your "right of religious freedom and God's truth" and contact Catherine McMillan at cmmillan@thomasmore.org with their full name, the name of their church or Christian organization, the address of the organization and its phone number.