Silent on Gay Marriage: Why Aren’t More Leaders as Outspoken as Chick-fil-A's President?
Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 11:23AM 
A controversial May 2012 Newsweek Magazine cover featured President Barack Obama with a “gay halo” over his head, naming him “America’s First Gay President” after the president publicly announced his endorsement of same-sex marriage.By Sonia M. Jackson
When President Barack Obama said he was for gay marriage and used the Bible to back it up, mainstream media braced itself for the backlash from the black church and its leaders. But their fear was unfounded, as more people of faith and color jumped on the same-sex marriage bandwagon, tucking their beliefs against gay marriage away.
The popularity of the president worldwide is undeniable. An Associated Press report republished by CBS News shows that the most-followed world leader's account on Twitter is @BarackObama, which is run by the Obama campaign and has 17.8 million followers. A May 9 tweet sent by the campaign team quoting Obama as saying "same-sex couples should be able to get married" is the most re-tweeted to date - more than 62,000 times.
But his reach and influence extends far beyond social networking and into the real world. Pew Research is showing an uptick in the number of blacks, once the most resistant group, now supporting gay marriage in increasing numbers. This has been happening over a period of time, though Obama’s endorsement of it has expedited this shift.
In the 2003 and 2004 Pew surveys, a combined 32 percent of African-Americans aged 18-29 supported gay marriage; that rose to a 51 percent majority in the 2011 and 2012 surveys. Among older blacks, the increase is more modest, but still apparent. Support for gay marriage rose over that period from 22 percent to 34 percent for African-Americans aged 30-49 and from 16 percent to 28 percent among blacks 50 and older.
And when it comes to the gay marriage debate, many of today’s most influential black Christian leaders, have been publicly silent on the issue. Even the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP), a group that protests the NAACP’s endorsement of gay marriage as a civil right, is slow gaining support for their “Commitment to Traditional Marriage Pledge.”
Why aren’t there more outspoken voices against gay marriage in the black church? Is it that the leaders fear backlash along the lines that Chick-fil-A’s Christian President, Dan Cathy, is receiving? Is there a desire among the black Christian elite to remain neutral, thus securing their economic stability, and gargantuan numbers of ministry followers—both gay and straight?
In a recent blog post, popular Christian fiction author, Kim Cash Tate, wrote:
So let’s be clear about where we are—simply saying you’re for biblical marriage will earn the label that you’re hateful. I’m burdened by this. I’m burdened that our President embraced same-sex marriage, and even used the Bible as support. I’m burdened as I see pastors publicly downplay marriage as God intended. And I’m burdened by what this all means for the body of Christ.
Are you burdened too?
Do you believe it is a necessity for more Believers to be vocal about their views on same-sex marriage? Why aren’t more leaders outspoken about it? Has your pastor discussed it from the pulpit?
Reader Comments (7)
More pastors do not address the issue because they are more worried about popularity and a large following than GOD'S WORD. After the president made his announcement, I was appalled and disgusted at the reactions of pastors on Twitter. I had to delete many, because those tweets followed by their "Godly" tweets made me sick, literally. These pastors need to represent God correctly, forgetting what the world think is ok. I salute Mr. Dan Cathy, because he has sense to know that God's way is the only way, and at the end of this life, we will answer to Him for our choices.
I agree with @Lady! Pastors are trying to hard to appease folks these days.
I wish more leaders would stand up for what is true and right. In today's world, no matter how lovingly you say it; if you disagree with gay marriage you will be labeled a bigot. If you don't heartily approve of the homosexual lifestyle, you are basically viewed on the same level as the KKK. It has gotten to the point where people are in danger of losing their friends and jobs if they share their opinions because it will be labeled as "hate speech." Many ordinary people who do believe in the Biblical view of marriage are beginning to feel alone. Not many people are speaking up. It seems as if the only voice to be heard is the voice of gay-activist beating us over the head with their reasons for gay marriage. And most of their reasons are shared with such venom and hatred for the truth. It is disheartening to know that many of the leaders we looked up to have decided to jump ship or remain silent on this important issue. If it weren't for God's word, it would be very easy to question your sanity or your beliefs, because not many leaders are affirming them.
@Lady is absolutely right but the Cathys KNOWS exactly where their sucess comes from too many are afriad because they know if they take a side it will cost them. It may cost money, or time or popularity like lady said.
but you can't follow Jesus and be popular you will go to the CROSS. But if MORE Christians were willing to stand perhaps there wouldnt be POLITICIANS trying to intimate them this is a CHRISTIAN nation this is not ROME shame on Rahm Immanuel, if money or popularity is more important to you STAY HOME, we dont need you on the team that's why Obama fittin lose this election cuz he forgettin where his HELP comes from i hope he remember for mitt snatch it cuz i SURE dont want to see him up there #youcanforgetaboutthepoor
but i digress I run a christian jewerly bridal company and blog and i DO not suppose wedding businesses that support gay marriage i realize my stance may cost me, the web companies may chose not to show my posts or some vendors may not want to deal with me but i tell them up FRONT if you cant stand the HEAT you need to get out my kitchen cuz im ready to burn and rumble.
#bring in cuz
guess what HATE is a biblical principle GOD HATES SIN, HE doesnt hate people
#nowdealwiththat
homo-phobia a fear of gay so you can call me whatever you want i dont fear people but i fear GOD and if HE says being gay is WRONG you better believe i fear that. no one should be discriminated against we ALL sin but dont be confused.
Anytime a GOVERNOR of a city as LARGE as Chicago says we dont welcome your business( chik fil a) this country has a BIG PROBLEM and im looking for sulfur and hail raining down next
time to get a passport.
I've been listening to Dr. R.A. Vernon's series, "Did God Change His Mind About the Family;" which deals with homosexual relation as well as unbiblical heterosexual relationships. Dr. Vernon stated that he cannot stand it when someone doesn't want to take a side. Being indifferent is just as bad as whole-hearted agreeance. However, yes, we need to be vocal about our stance when the conversation is presented. But, with that make sure that your speaking with the love of Christ and conviction. Therefore, your witness is still right.
Some live in this secret, so their nasty behavior won't be revealed. So they are not going to speak out. Some have relatives, and friends they won't say anything to them. God help them, if they don't forsake this sin, I'm talking about the born-again believers. And for the non-believers, we are to cry loud and spare not, against the sinner. And yes! because I love them, with the love of Christ our Lord, is why I would speak out against this. It's lust! a need to satisfy a desire that they burn in their bodies for a man with a man, or a woman with a woman, it wrong. They will be judged on this when Jesus returns, if they don't repent, and turn their life around to follow the Savior.