Southern Baptist Convention Affirms Its Position on Marriage, "No Matter How the Supreme Court Rules"

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., passed a resolution during its recent annual meeting, which stated the denomination's determination to adhere to the definition of marriage between one man and one woman, regardless of the Supreme Court decision on Obergefell v. Hodges, to be released by the end of this month.

"No matter how the Supreme Court rules, the Southern Baptist Convention reaffirms its unwavering commitment to its doctrinal and public beliefs concerning marriage," a portion of the resolution, on which the SBC voted on Tuesday, states.

"The Southern Baptist Convention calls on Southern Baptists and all Christians to stand firm on the Bible's witness on the purposes of marriage, among which are to unite man and woman as one flesh and to secure the basis for the flourishing of human civilization," the resolution continues.

The statement concludes with a resolution to "love our neighbors and extend respect in Christ's name to all people, including those who may disagree with us about the definition of marriage and the public good."

This particular resolution on the SBC's position on marriage was one of nine resolutions that were passed unanimously, or almost unanimously, during the annual meeting which took place from June 16 to 17.

The resolutions that are passed by the SBC are not binding, but are ways through which the denomination is able to state its perspective on certain issues, according to leaders in the SBC.

The resolutions "express a unity of purpose and of thought," Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC said.

Prominent leaders of the SBC, including Ronnie Floyd, the president of the denomination, and Russell Moore have been active in stating their position that the biblical definition of marriage is that between one man and one woman.

Floyd and 16 previous SBC presidents released a statement to the members of the SBC prior to the vote during the annual meeting, stating, "We will not accept, nor adhere to, any legal redefinition of marriage issued by any political or judicial body including the United States Supreme Court."

"The Scriptures' teaching on marriage is not negotiable. We stake our lives upon the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus," the statement reads.

The statement further encouraged Southern Baptist leaders "use their influence to affirm God's design for life and relationships."

Some 5,000 delegates attended the annual meeting which took place in Columbus, Ohio. During the annual meeting, an election for the new SBC president also took place, for which Floyd was the only candidate and was re-elected.