Hell, Satan and a Ghost from the Past

Several hundred Christian fundamentalists gathered on the south steps of the Capitol today in a rally that was less about the defense of traditional marriage than about preparing for civil disobedience if, as expected, the U.S. Supreme Court later this year declares bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

Beneath a sweltering sun on the first truly hot day of the year, the preachers who spoke at the rally alluded to the idea that a nation that allows same-sex marriage is one teetering of the edge of a fiery maw. “It’s hot,” said Rick Scarborough of Vision America. “I don’t know if it means we’re closer to the sun or closer to hell.” The Bishop Sterling Lands of the Family Life International fellowship told the crowd “family is a Kingdom priority,” and added, “Satan holds marriage as high a priority as God does.”

But there was the unmistakable feeling that they knew their triumphs over the gay rights movement were rapidly slipping away as one federal court after another around the country declares bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, as unconstitutional as racial segregation or bans on interracial marriage. We won, the speakers declared one after another, and now the federal courts are taking our victory away. (A federal judge has declared the Texas ban unconstitutional but put his ruling on hold until rulings from higher courts.)

“It’s not about being anti-anyone. It’s about being for marriage between a man and a woman,” said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “The second issue, which is as important, is standing up for the right of the people in a state to determine the decision for public policy in their state, not the federal government.”

Read more: http://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/hell-satan-and-ghost-past