HRC Blog

The following post comes from Ryan Rowe, Director of Faith Outreach at Protect ALL NC Families:

On a recent Saturday in Charlotte, NC, Baptists from across North Carolina gathered to hear from a panel of their denomination’s leaders and each other on why NC Amendment One would violate their core Baptist and Christian beliefs. Participants heard from faith organizers from the campaign against Amendment One -- the Coalition to Protect ALL NC Families -- on how the amendment’s extreme and untested language would not only ban same-sex marriage and civil unions but strip LGBT and straight families of health insurance and legal protections like laws to prevent domestic violence. Hosted at Myers Park Baptist Church, a panel of Baptist clergy, Biblical scholars, business leaders and a professor of public policy all laid out their stories as Baptists Against Amendment One. The group then underwent training on how to share their story and organize their congregations to defeat the amendment.

“[Baptists have always] stood for soul liberty and freedom of conscience. We have protected the rights of all people no matter what their beliefs. I think it follows that tradition to be against constitutional amendment one,” said Rev. Dr. Stephen Shoemaker, Senior Pastor at Myer Park Baptist. 

NC Baptists Against Amendment One was a part of the Many Voices, One Love series, several gatherings of  progressive Baptists around the country reclaiming the diversity in the Baptist faith tradition. HRC is proud to partner with People of Faith to Protect ALL NC Families and the Many Voices sponsors (the Baptist Peace Fellowship, the Association of  Welcoming and Affirming Baptists and the Alliance of Baptists) on this and many other events that raise the voice of people of faith for equality and justice.

Like People of Faith to Protect ALL NC Families on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithProtectsNCFamilies. Or contact the campaign’s Director of Faith Outreach, Ryan Rowe, [email protected] to find out how you and your congregation can get involved in defeating Amendment One.