Pastors Issue Tough Warning to the Supreme Court 'Not to Cross This Line' as Landmark Ruling on Gay Marriage Approaches

With the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision on gay marriage just days away, Christian pastors who oppose a potential ruling that would legalize same-sex nuptials in all 50 states are issuing a warning to the high court — and pledging civil disobedience if it comes to pass.

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As of Wednesday, 42,000 people had signed the "Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage," a proclamation to defend traditional marriage, the Christian Post reported.

"We stand together in defense of marriage and the family and society founded upon them," the pledge reads. "While we come from a variety of communities and hold differing faith perspectives, we are united in our common affirmation of marriage."

Predicated upon Christian sentiment, the pledge affirms that God designed marriage and the family, and that the institution should be headed by one one male and one female, exclusively.

The document also affirms that the traditional view of marriage is something that preceded civil government.

"Family is the first vital cell of society, the first government, and the first mediating institution of our social order," the text continues. "The future of a free and healthy society passes through marriage and the family."

The pastors, faith leaders, politicians and community members who sign the document pledge to defend traditional marriage, which they say is based upon "natural law," imploring the government to do the same.

"No civil institution, including the United States Supreme Court or any court, has authority to redefine marriage," the pledge reads, going on to express fears over religious freedom concerns that signatories believe could follow nationwide legalization.

The document also indicates that those signing will "not respect an unjust law that directly conflicts with higher law."

"A decision purporting to redefine marriage flies in the face of the constitution and is contrary to the natural created order," it reads. "As people of faith we pledge obedience to our creator when the state directly conflicts with higher law. We respectfully warn the Supreme Court not to cross this line."

See the pledge here.

Key signatories include Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel Action, the Rev. Rick Scarborough, president of Vision America Action, and Republican presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee, among many others. 

The idea for the "Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage" originated earlier this year after Scarborough's Vision America — a group that encourages pastors to uphold Judeo-Christian values — hosted a call with faith leaders to discuss the upcoming Supreme Court ruling.

Read more about that here.

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