A large coalition of African-American pastors, snubbed by President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder in their demand for a meeting to discuss same-sex marriage, are calling on blacks to boycott the president and sign a petition demanding that the administration withdraw support for gay marriage.
A large coalition of African-American pastors, snubbed by President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder in their demand for a meeting to discuss same-sex marriage, are calling on blacks to boycott the president and sign a petition demanding that the administration withdraw support for gay marriage.
“By embracing gay marriage, President Obama is leading the country down an immoral path,” said Rev. William Owens, president of the 1,300-member Coalition of African-American Pastors. “Some things are bigger than the next election.”
The pastors are angered with Obama’s recent endorsement of gay marriage. Obama did not, however, suggest that he would push for a federal mandate allowing same-sex marriages to take place.
Owens is the voice of a large segment of black pastors who support traditional marriage between a man and a women. “The Black church has always been the conscience of America, and today we are calling on black pastors and black Christians to withhold support from President Obama until he corrects course,” he said.
His group also started a petition to encourage Obama to change his mind.
The group also called on the African, Methodist and Episcopal Church to denounce the president actions.
That seems unlikely since the AME Church Convention, which met in Nashville last week, had first lady Michelle Obama speak. In her address, she credited the civil rights advocacy of AME churches for paving a path for a black president. “My husband is in the White House today because of them,” she said.
Still, said Owens, “In the midst of this great moral struggle, we are also asking the great AME Church to reaffirm Biblical views on marriage that is between one man and one woman. The AME Church has not taken a position on this important issue in more than twenty years and it is time to get off the sidelines.”
Their opposition to gay marriage could influence how black churches turn out the vote for Obama.
“We were once proud of President Obama, but our pride has turned to shame,” said Owens.
