BREAKING–AFRICAN AMERICAN PASTORS SET FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE:
‘Same Sex Free to Marry Legally in America’-US Supreme Court
…American Pastors, US Media Pressure Group kick against ruling
* “We will Uphold only God’s Law, No matter the Price, even if it means Jail”, vows Coalition of African American Pastors
* 37 States and DC already adopt ‘Marriage Equality’, remaining 13 states accept verdict
*Justices claim under 14th Amendment states must issue Marriage Licenses to Same Sex Couples, recognize same-sex unions legally conducted in other states
* US Supreme Court Ruled 5-4 : “It is legal for all Americans, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, to marry people they love”
* “Persons who enter into a Same-Sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison”-Nigerian Constitution
* ‘This ruling is anti-African, against African norms, culture, ethics’–Reporters Beyond Borders
BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUM, CNN iReport NORTH AMERICA & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NAIJA STANDARD
THE once peaceful ambiance in United States where people of different colors, races and background that are either natives of United States or naturalized citizens having ‘Green Card’ status seems uncertain of the likely protest that is laying ahead in this month as threatened by Reverend Bill Owens, President/Founder, Coalition of African American Pastors, CAAP, over the decision of US Supreme Court to have legalized same-sex marriage nationally in the country. Reasons being that CAAP believes this apex court judgment is in sharp contrast to the faith and tenets of Christina Holy Book. This is why CAAP describe the ruling as ‘unjust laws that would not be obeyed”.
In a historic ruling few hours ago by 5-4 justices at the Supreme Court, they argued that Americans are free to legally marry whosoever they deem fit as lovers. The ruling reads: “It is legal for all Americans, no matter their gender or sexual orientation to marry people they love. Under 14th Amendment, states must issue Marriage Licenses to same sex couples, and recognize same-sex unions legally conducted in other states.”
Majority rule
In the majority opinion, these justices adduced several reasons marriage rights should be extended to same sex couples. They wrote that the right to marriage is an inherent aspect of individual anatomy, since “decisions about marriage are among the most intimate an individual can make. They argues that gay Americans have a right to “intimate association” beyond merely freedom from laws that ban homosexuality.
According to these justices “Extending the rights to marry protects families and without the recognition , stability and predictability marriage offers, children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser.”
Minority Rule
In his dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas argued that same sex marriage is not endorsed by the constitution. They wrote: “Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner, celebrate the availability of new benefits, but do not celebrate the Constitution.”
Protests by Coalition of African American Pastors
Going by Reverend Owens, before this ruling was passed, CAAP joined other ministers of the Christian gospel at the Church of God in Christ Mason Temple, Tennessee in a press conference to echo their stance on same sex marriage, where it warned the administration of President Barack Obama of on-coming civil disobedience among pastors and clergy. His words: “Politicians and Courts have tried to take God out of this country. This country was founded on Godly principles. We will not stand back.”
Corroborating this view, Reverend David Welch of President of Pastor’s Council in Houston, Texas says: “God created marriage between a man and a woman, no Supreme Court can define this. We stand clearly to say we will acknowledge God’s law no matter what the cost , no matter what the price. If they want to fill jails with pastors across the nation of every color, denomination and every size, who will stand for the laws of God and his truths? If it comes to declining same sex wedding that we will be charged with civil or criminal penalty, then we will accept it.”
“It is criminal in Nigeria for same sex marriage”-Nigerian Constitution
Nigeria’s former President, Good luck Jonathan signed into law few days to his exit, a parliamentarian bill which makes it criminal for same sex, be it homosexual, lesbians or gay to be married. The passed bill signed into Nigerian constitution reads: “Persons who enter into same sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison.”
US Media Pressure Group condemns Ruling
Reporters Beyond Borders, a United States media pressure group rising from an emergency meeting of its Board of Directors condemn in string terms this latest ruling coming from US Supreme Court. In a communique made available to our correspondent after few hours marathon meeting in Arlington, Texas, the press statement reads: “It has just come to our Directorate knowledge the ruling of United States Supreme Court on endorsing same sex marriage. As an African media pressure group here in America, we totally condemn outrightly this judgment which is against the spirit and letters of African Constitution, against the culture, beliefs, traditions and ethics of African hereditary. We are against it since it negates our African norms.”
