Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
June 9, 2015
Alice Mary Baldwin was a historian and educator, who served as the Dean of Women’s College of Duke University from 1923 until her retirement in 1947. In her book, The New England Pulpit and the American Revolution, Baldwin demonstrates how pastors of the early American era were at the heart of securing American independence.
She writes:
“[C]lergymen used every outlet open to them. They were active in many public committees, town halls, public venues, and published often in newspapers and pamphlets, not to mention the constant use of their most familiar tool, the pulpit. By faithfully proclaiming the whole counsel of God to every area of life, these men shook a tyranny to its foundations and helped rebuild a free society upon its ruins.”
Today, our nation is threatened by new forms of tyranny. But unfortunately, all too often, pastors are silent. There is currently a need for pastors to speak up for religious liberty in North Carolina.
Religious liberty is actually at a tipping point in North Carolina. Since same-sex marriage was forced upon the state by the egregious rulings of federal courts, the state has directed all magistrates and register of deeds to treat same-sex marriages the same as heterosexual or face suspension, firing, and criminal prosecution.
SB 2 – Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies is legislation that would allow magistrates and register of deeds to opt-out of the performance of same-sex marriages, if it violates their faith.
Much to our shock, Governor Pat McCrory vetoed this common sense bill.
The governor must be listening to the wrong voices on this measure. The bill simply provides a religious accommodation for magistrates’ and register of deeds’ religious liberty rights with the current law on marriage. The legislation protects their jobs and shields them from disciplinary action or prosecution.
Read Dr. Mark Creech’s editorial, “Wanted: True Friends of Religious Liberty”
The North Carolina Senate has voted (32-16) to override the governor’s veto. The state House is set to do the same, but the vote is much closer in the House. The vote for the bill in the House chamber was 67-43, but 72 votes are needed to override the governor’s veto.
PASTORS, PLEASE TAKE ACTION:
We need for every pastor who truly believes in religious freedom to contact his Representative in the N.C. House, and ask him or her to vote for an override of the governor’s veto.
Sending an email is good, BUT A PASTOR MAKING A PHONE CALL TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE. Please make a phone call to your state Representative without delay. If you don’t get to speak directly with your Representative, be sure to leave a message with his/her legislative assistant or leave voicemail stating that you are a pastor, what church you pastor, that you are a constituent, and leaving your name and place of residence.
Time is of the essence. So please make this a priority.
Pastors helped to secure the liberties that we enjoy in our Republic, in many ways it’s up to pastors today to help sustain them.
If you do not know who represents you in the N.C. House, go to WRAL’s Find Your Lawmakers and type in your address. Remember: You are looking for your Representative in the N.C. House.
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