Delegates from the Southern Baptist Convention overwhelmingly approved a resolution opposing same-sex marriage. They also urged the reversal of the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The resolution was passed during the denomination's annual meeting, attended by over 10,000 church representatives.
The resolution calls for overturning laws and court rulings that contradict the convention's view of marriage and family. It advocates for laws that define marriage as between one man and one woman. The resolution also encourages legislators to restrict sports betting and support policies that promote childbearing.
The resolution on marriage and family calls for civil law to be based on the convention's interpretation of the Bible. It states that legislators should pass laws reflecting the convention's views on marriage, sex, human life, and family. The resolution also calls for recognizing the biological reality of male and female and opposes policies that compel people to speak falsely about sex and gender.
The resolution urges Christians to embrace marriage and childbearing, viewing children as blessings. It frames the issue as one of public policy, calling for moral clarity regarding declining fertility rates and policies that support families. The resolution laments what it sees as a modern culture pursuing childlessness.
The convention also addressed other issues. A resolution on pornography, passed without debate, calls such material destructive and exploitative, and asserts the government's power to ban it. Another resolution, regarding sports betting, reflects the Southern Baptists' historical opposition to gambling, calling it harmful.
Andrew Walker, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, stated that the marriage resolution demonstrates the Southern Baptists' opposition to the widespread social acceptance of same-sex marriage. He acknowledged the challenges in achieving their goals, such as overturning Obergefell.
The annual meeting also addressed the recent death of Jennifer Lyell, a prominent whistleblower who had reported sexual abuse within the denomination. Her death cast a shadow over the gathering. Advocates for reform have criticized the lack of progress in addressing sexual abuse within the convention.
The SBC Executive Committee acknowledged its failure to adequately support Jennifer Lyell when she came forward with her story. Despite previous actions, such as the 2022 vote to create a system for tracking accused pastors and church workers, advocates for reform believe that the denomination has not implemented sufficient changes. The Executive Committee is also seeking funding for legal expenses related to abuse cases.
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