Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley
Providence Missionary Baptist Church
Atlanta, Georgia

Though I grew up in California, I did not pay close attention to matters related to same-sex marriage. It is my understanding that Proposition 8 adds a new amendment to the California Constitution, which says, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”  I was led to understand that before this Proposition passed, that same-sex marriages were a constitutionally-protected right in California.

Research indicates that in 1977, California defined marriage as a state between “a man and a woman,” and the California State Legislature passed a law stating that marriage is a “personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman.” In 2000, Proposition 22 passed with 61% of the vote, changing California’s Family Code to formally define marriage in California as a union between a man and a woman. This was a statutory change, not a constitutional change.

On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court, by a vote of 4 to 3, struck down Proposition 22.
It is my understanding that Proposition 8 simply restores what 61% of the voters already approved: that marriage is only between a man and a woman. It reaffirms “traditional marriage,” but does not take away any rights or benefits from gay domestic partners.

Since slavery, the African-American pastor has assumed the role of interpreter of the value system which best enables his/her following to survive. Our primary creed, which determines our basis for living, is the Bible.

My role as a pastor is to assure that those I serve have the best counsel when it affects their economic, political, educational, social, health, and spiritual well-being. We teach that a marriage is between a man and a woman and that this relationship constitutes the foundation upon which children may be born or adopted and traditionally recognized as a family.

While it is my conviction that this family structure was put into place at the beginning of time, I am aware that times, culture, values, precepts, principles, and mores are subject to change and that the family unit – including marriage – has been redefined by the broader society.

I am reminded that Paul, when writing to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:3) faced circumstances to those which confront us today. He said, and I concur, “For the time will come when men/women will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

Those days are here now. Politicians, entertainers, athletes, educators, and yes, some ministers are saying whatever people want to hear. Other biblical writings say, “people during these days will seek God with their lips, but not their heart.” (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8, 9; Colossians 2:22).

Our civil rights, human rights, voting rights, housing rights, and transportation rights were sanctioned by God; hence we fought for those ordained rights.  God commanded that marriage should be between a man and woman.  Therefore, we in the church who are African Americans, preach, teach, and encourage that marriage is between a man and a woman, regardless of what “those who have itching ears, in the final days, may be seeking for their own desires.”

We will always respect the rights of others to define their lifestyles and their definition of marriage, but “as for us and our household” (Joshua 24:15), we have chosen to—during these last days, which are ever with us—to accept God’s definition of marriage as “the union between one man to one woman.”

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