Jim Wallis Flip-Flops on Gay Marriage -- and Had This to Say About Labeling Same-Sex Opponents 'Bigots

Progressive Pastor Jim Wallis, known as one of the most prominent leaders of the evangelical left, has officially changed positions on gay marriage. While he is regularly heralded by many liberals for his less-than-conservative views on an array of social and political issues, Wallis has traditionally opposed same-sex weddings. But on Friday, he reversed that stance in an interview on HuffPo Live, endorsing gay marriage for the first time.

During the on-air appearance, Wallis called for "a deeper commitment to marriage" overall -- and a more inclusive take on the institution. When asked if he explicitly supports including gay couples in the renewal of marriage in American society, he said, "Yes."

"I think we should include same-sex couples in that renewal of marriage, [but] I want to talk marriage first," Wallis said on the online television network. "Marriage needs some strengthening. Let's start with marriage, and then I think we have to talk about, now, how to include same-sex couples in that deeper understanding of marriage."

Watch Wallis discuss these issues, among others, below:

While those who oppose same-sex marriage will likely lament this stance, it's important to note that Wallis also defended the right to stand against gay unions, citing the need for both sides to use peaceful tactics when disagreeing with one another on controversial issues.

"On the issue of gay marriage, you can be supportive of same-sex couples being able to have the same benefits that straight couples have, but you can also be in favor of of religious freedom for faith communities to figure this out in their own time, in their own scriptures, their own way," Wallis noted.

"I don't think they should be called 'bigots' if they are struggling with what the Bible says about this, or might we lose marriage because of this. Those are questions we cannot be afraid to talk about," he added.

Read Wallis' entire interview, which covers additional sociopolitical issues, here.

(H/T: Christian Post)

--

Other Must-Read Stories:

• Can Average Citizens Really Save Lives in Active-Shooter Situations? Here’s What Experts Found
• Ex-Porn Star Jenna Jameson Arrested, Charged With Battery
• ‘Did You Kill Your Gay Son!?’: 10 of the Most Disturbing, Vitriolic and Shocking Reactions to the Death of Rick Warren’s Son
• Mass. Man Faces Charges After Shooting, Killing Bear in His Own Backyard
• Anti-Islam Pastor Plans to Burn 2,998 Korans to Mark 12th Anniversary of 9/11 — and He Explains It to TheBlaze