Marriage Amendment: Florida
Law
November 5, 2008
(PENSACOLA, Fla.) Nov. 5 -- The Rev. Jamie Sanders
of Pensacola's Unity Church and Executive Pastor Bob Meldrim of Marcus Pointe
Baptist Church have strong opinions about church teachings, but differ in their
biblical interpretations, specifically on marriage.
"We believe God
created one man and one woman and created family before anything else," Meldrim
said.
"We must be diverse and we must open our hearts and minds to what
is happening as we progress as people and as a nation," Sanders
said.
Some hoped Florida's Amendment 2, dubbed the Marriage Protection
Amendment, would end this argument. The amendment recognized marriage as a legal
union between one man and one woman, meaning gay and lesbian couples could not
marry.
Tuesday 62 percent of Floridians voted for the amendment,
gaining the approval required for Florida Law, but about 3 million opponents
voted against it, meaning this divisive issue was far from over.
"I do
believe it will come up again and I just encourage people, if you are frightened
or angered, always ask yourself what that is about for you?" Sanders
asked.
"They don't take no for an answer and they'll come at it one way
or another. It's their right," said Meldrim. "That's the good about living in a
free country. People can protest even when they don't agree."
Pensacola's
Unity Church will continue performing commitment ceremonies for same-sex
couples, but because of Amendment 2, the couples won't experience the same
rights as married couples do.
Commitment ceremonies are a symbolic way
for same-sex couples to pledge their love and devotion for one another.