Public officials empowered to perform marriages, Whitehead said, may be able to refuse to perform any weddings, but an official who performs only heterosexual marriages likely will be declared in violation of the Constitution.Whitehead cited events in North Carolina as a microcosm of what could happen across the nation. Last fall, the state's 670 magistrates received a memo from North Carolina's Administrative Office of the Courts stating that because a federal court had legalized gay marriage in the state, magistrates were required to perform same-sex weddings or face possible criminal prosecution.
At least six magistrates resigned rather than marry homosexual couples. Later, the state legislature passed a bill allowing magistrates to opt out of performing weddings altogether. Gay marriage advocates are challenging the law in court.
Gilbert Breedlove, a former magistrate in Swain County, N.C., who resigned rather than perform gay weddings, told BP other Christian officials should prepare to "respond in faith" to the Supreme Court's ruling even "if it takes resigning your commission."
Breedlove, pastor of an independent Baptist church in Bryson City, N.C., predicted Christian public officials generally will choose to resign rather than defy the law. But he acknowledged that some officials might "feel the Lord leading them to face criminal charges."
As long as you don’t tell them the reason, you can’t be penalized.
Maybe this will be the time for churches to stop marrying whoever walks through the door. Example: If you want to be married in our church, you both must be a members for at least a year. No living in sin. Must submit to marriage counseling.
“some experts believe pastors who refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages could face government repercussions.”
That’s the one right there. IMO that’s the whole end game....destroy Christian churches.
Modest proposal:
Allow states to REQUIRE that only federal judges perform homosexual weddings. They made this mess, let them live with it.