Rep. David Brumbaugh issued the following statement today regarding the passage in the Senate of House Bill 1007, which protects churches and clergy from liability if they refuse to participate in a same-sex marriage based on their religious beliefs. The measure is now heading to the governor’s desk for consideration.
“This bill precludes pastors or religious officials from violating their conscience or religious beliefs to solemnize or recognize a marriage that violates their beliefs. With 66 lawsuits nationwide, pastors are rightfully concerned about civil claims or causes of action for public accommodation. Many people of various faiths believe that marriage is a divinely appointed institution, and their faiths simply prohibit them from participating in same-sex wedding ceremonies. This is not bigotry nor hatred. Our goal is not to discriminate, but to protect those clergy whose conscious compels them to stand firm in the deeply held tenets of their faith. I am very grateful for my colleagues in both the House and Senate for approving this measure, and I am hopeful that Gov. Fallin will sign it immediately.”
Glad institutional racism has been enshrined in our laws…forget same sex weddings…I know of pastors in SE Oklahoma that now will hide behind this law and refuse to wed interracial couples because it goes against ‘natures order’… way to go Brumbaugh
“I know of pastors in SE Oklahoma that now will hide behind this law and refuse to wed interracial couples because it goes against ‘natures order’”
No, actually you don’t…also, the bill doesn’t say anything about “nature’s order”…