WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
A local pastor is protesting North Carolina's marriage law -- which only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman -- by refusing to fill out marriage certificates.
Reverend Susan Parker said she has no problem performing a religious ceremony for people who want to marry, but she won't participate in any government function related to marriage.
"I would like for the government to get out of the marriage business entirely," she said.
The pastor at Wake Forest Baptist Church said she doesn't believe the state government is treating people equally, which is why she refuses to fill out marriage licenses for any couple, a job members of the clergy have the power to do, along with certain state employees.
"Let the government employees take care of what's done paperwork-wise," she said. "I help them with the religious ceremony. That's my job."
Parker said she's followed this rule for a few rules, and there are other clergy in Winston-Salem and across the country that are adopting the policy.
But at nearby Berean Baptist Church, Dr. Ronnie Baity says religion and government should mix.
"This nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles where the church led the way," he said Wednesday. "The principle of government ought to be the principles of Scripture."
Baity founded the organization Return America, which is working to get the state's constitution amended to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
"The reason we want an amendment to our state constitution is that is ratchets up the marriage laws to a higher position where's more difficult for a judge to reach in and to annul that amendment," he said.
Reverend Susan Parker said she has no problem performing a religious ceremony for people who want to marry, but she won't participate in any government function related to marriage.
"I would like for the government to get out of the marriage business entirely," she said.
The pastor at Wake Forest Baptist Church said she doesn't believe the state government is treating people equally, which is why she refuses to fill out marriage licenses for any couple, a job members of the clergy have the power to do, along with certain state employees.
"Let the government employees take care of what's done paperwork-wise," she said. "I help them with the religious ceremony. That's my job."
Parker said she's followed this rule for a few rules, and there are other clergy in Winston-Salem and across the country that are adopting the policy.
But at nearby Berean Baptist Church, Dr. Ronnie Baity says religion and government should mix.
"This nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles where the church led the way," he said Wednesday. "The principle of government ought to be the principles of Scripture."
Baity founded the organization Return America, which is working to get the state's constitution amended to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
"The reason we want an amendment to our state constitution is that is ratchets up the marriage laws to a higher position where's more difficult for a judge to reach in and to annul that amendment," he said.
