National Conservative Christian Church

A question of faith: Religious community reacts to passage of the Marriage ...

By SUZANNA K. LOURIE, slourie@saratogian.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local religious entities expressed mixed reactions to the recent approval of the Marriage Equality Act, which was signed into law June 25 and will take effect in late July, legalizing same-sex marriage in New York. Some say they will perform ceremonies for gay couples, while others will not. Some have yet to decide. "We will not perform same-sex marriage services," said Senior Pastor Dale Jensen of Saratoga Abundant Life Church in Saratoga Springs, a non-denominational Christian church. "When we make laws like this, it marginalizes marriage to the point where eventually it won’t mean anything in our culture — it puts the whole institution at stake." "The law is so new, it just got passed this week and it’s not something this congregation has really given any thought to whatsoever," said Rabbi Kenneth Blatt of the conservative Jewish Congregation Shaara T’fille in Saratoga Springs. "We have a pretty liberal congregation here, but I have no idea how they feel about this, and I’m not even 100 percent sure how I feel about it." "The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly met in 2006 to discuss the issue, but there was no unanimity so it was left up to the individual synagogue," Blatt said. "Most people are perfectly comfortable with civil ceremonies, but because of the way the Bible talks about marriage it’s an issue we really need some guidance from the church leadership about."

By SUZANNA K. LOURIE, slourie@saratogian.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local religious entities expressed mixed reactions to the recent approval of the Marriage Equality Act, which was signed into law June 25 and will take effect in late July, legalizing same-sex marriage in New York. Some say they will perform ceremonies for gay couples, while others will not. Some have yet to decide. "We will not perform same-sex marriage services," said Senior Pastor Dale Jensen of Saratoga Abundant Life Church in Saratoga Springs, a non-denominational Christian church. "When we make laws like this, it marginalizes marriage to the point where eventually it won’t mean anything in our culture — it puts the whole institution at stake." "The law is so new, it just got passed this week and it’s not something this congregation has really given any thought to whatsoever," said Rabbi Kenneth Blatt of the conservative Jewish Congregation Shaara T’fille in Saratoga Springs. "We have a pretty liberal congregation here, but I have no idea how they feel about this, and I’m not even 100 percent sure how I feel about it." "The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly met in 2006 to discuss the issue, but there was no unanimity so it was left up to the individual synagogue," Blatt said. "Most people are perfectly comfortable with civil ceremonies, but because of the way the Bible talks about marriage it’s an issue we really need some guidance from the church leadership about." " I stopped going to church during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis when I discovered that my church didn't "approve" of gays and lesbians. How could such a paragon of Christianity be so un-Christian! I'm so glad to hear that some are actually interpreting the words of the Bible, which doesn't refer to telephones or cars or airplanes, either. " " My wife and I went to Abundant Life Church for a few services when we were looking for a church. On the third visit the pastor started talking about prophets - and spoke the name of Glen Beck as a prophet. His voice got louder, and he asked for a call of hands who watched Glen Beck and a full third of the congregation raised their hands. The pastor then got even louder praising America for being the best nation on earth - but he said, you'd never know that listening to the media. We left immediately. To read their pastor say that my marriage is somehow marginalized because the civil rights that I have enjoyed are now open to more people is very sad.

Conservative Christian Group Seeks New Reagan on EthicsDaily.com

Last November, Robison and Gingrich both were part of a dinner event for the Institute for Policy Innovation, a think-tank started by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) to promote "approaches to governing that harness the strengths of individual liberty, limited government and free markets." During the event, Gingrich praised Robison's political work.

"Reverend James Robison's an amazing person," Gingrich said . "He was a leader in the Reagan years. … And so when you were here tonight, I just wanted to thank you for a lifetime of living what you believe and living what you preach."

Gingrich also mentioned during the speech that he had talked recently with Robison to pray and discuss his future plans. Gingrich since announced he was running for president.

However, some individuals in the group have expressed opposition to Gingrich's candidacy, due in large part to his divorces and affairs.

For instance, both Land and Perkins have stressed problems with Gingrich as the nominee. Land even argued that Gingrich needed to give a big speech to "confess [his divorces and affairs] and ask for forgiveness."

Others in Robison's group are drawn to different candidates. Author Wayne Grudem, who attended the June meeting, supported Mitt Romney in the last election.

Harry Jackson, who also attended the June meeting, offered the invocation at Herman Cain's presidential announcement. In the prayer , he claimed that God had "raised up" Cain and asked God to move people to volunteer and donate to Cain's campaign.

In the June 3 blog post in which he listed his "what" agenda, Robison also called on Christians to follow the command found in Joel 2.

"Now is the time for all Americans to choose whom and what they will serve," he wrote. "Christians must respond to the invitation issued by the prophet Joel to 'return to God … and rend our hearts and not our garments.'"

The same day Robison posted his piece, another political call for prayer based on Joel 2 was reported. Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced a prayer rally would be held on Aug. 6 at Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texans play, and invited the nation's other 49 governors to join him at the event.

"Some problems are beyond our power to solve, and according to the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, this historic hour demands a historic response," Perry argued on the event's website. "Therefore, on August 6, thousands will gather to pray for a historic breakthrough for our country and a renewed sense of moral purpose.

Yearbook of American and Canadian churches

The Holy Vote, The Politics of Faith in America

The culture of conservative Christian litigation

Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2009

The origins of Christian anti-internationalism, conservative evangelicals and the League of Nations