Pastors in metro Atlanta offered passionate but diverse reactions Sunday to the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage.
At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Downtown Atlanta, the Rev. Heather Chase reflected on the series of dramatic events occurring this month, including the shootings in Charleston, the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, and the Episcopal Church’s landslide election on Saturday of its first African-American presiding bishop.
Chase devoted her sermon to a message of inclusion and acceptance for everyone.
“If nothing else, if you hear that you are loved and you are welcome, you have heard the message for today,” Chase said.
St. Luke’s sanctuary was packed Friday night for an interfaith service of thanksgiving in response to the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.
At Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in East Cobb, Pastor Bryant Wright criticized the court ruling as making “what God says is evil” the law of the land.
Speaking to several hundred parishioners, Wright said the decision reflects the decline of the country’s morals that began in the 1960s with the sexual revolution. In turn, he said believes the court’s decision opens the legal door to future marriages of all kinds between consenting adults, including polygamy, bigamy and even incestuous unions.
A sign outside the church announced his theme of the day: “What Redefining Marriage Means for the Future.”
When a message on Christian marriage was flashed on a screen in the front of the sanctuary, it was accompanied by the figures of a man and woman commonly seen atop a wedding cake.
After the service, church members said they felt encouraged by the sermon, with some saying they felt Christian values were under siege.
“It’s very sad what’s happening in America,” said Lisa Hudson, 52, of Marietta. “I feel like Christianity is under attack.”
At Victory for the World Church in Stone Mountain, Pastor Kenneth Samuel said the ruling bolstered his faith.
The pastor of the predominantly black church noted that same-sex marriage has been a divisive issue in the black community, especially among churches.
“This issue has been used as a wedge issue in the black community,” Samuel told the congregation during the 8 a.m. service. The Supreme Court’s ruling will “force the church to deal with one of its demons,” he said.
Samuel’s comments were well received, but that has not always been the case. Years ago, more than 1,000 members left the church when Samuel began to preach on acceptance of gays.
At Trinity Chapel in West Cobb, church member Janet Savage affirmed her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.
“Is (the court decision) truly about equality for the LGB community or is it about forced acceptance and normalizing that which is not normal? she said. “My heart grieves the passage of this law. God help us all.”
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