The Alabama Baptist Online

African-American pastors divided on gay ‘marriage’ comment (0)

June 21, 2012

WASHINGTON — The 200 or so African-American pastors gathered here for the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) feel strongly about the topic of gay “marriage” — some for, many against. But there is one thing nearly all of them agree on.

The issue will not distract black voters from supporting President Obama’s re-election.

Bishop John Hurst Adams of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who dismissed same-sex “marriage” as a “wonderful program for population control,” said he was nonetheless behind Obama.

“I love the president ... I’m going to support the president,” Adams said to applause and shouts of “Amen” on May 31. “I disagree with his statement,” he said, referring to President Obama’s saying he supported same-sex “marriage.”

The CNBC comprises nine denominations that include more than 10 million Americans, and all nine oppose same-sex “marriage,” said CNBC chairman W. Franklyn Richardson, who moderated a session called “A Conversation About Same-Sex ‘Marriage.’” But he also noted a diversity of opinions within churches on the topic.

Amos C. Brown, pastor of Third Street Baptist Church of San Francisco, said he would not perform a same-sex “marriage” but believes in equality before the law, including marriage equality for gays and lesbians.

“I’m a Baptist, not a bigot,” Brown said. “Don’t be diverted by these right-wingers.”