Contact: Mark Strange, Communications Director, Georgia Baptist Convention, 770-936-5233, mstrange@gabaptist.org

DULUTH, Ga., June 26, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) is disappointed and saddened by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on state bans against same sex marriage. The ruling contradicts the longstanding tradition of, and historical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Even more essential, it contradicts the biblical definition of marriage.

As Justice Kennedy pointed out in arguments, the long-standing belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is "millennia, plus time." As Christians, our belief is that marriage is ordained by God in the scriptures at the beginning, and only between a man and a woman. Government didn't create marriage, and therefore shouldn't change the definition of marriage, nor force it upon those who do not wish to participate in it.

Scripture tells us in the book of Matthew, "that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." "Throughout the scriptures it is very clear what God's idea and purpose of marriage is," said Dr. J. Robert White, executive director, Georgia Baptist Convention. "We support the biblical view of marriage on moral religious grounds, but also for the value and impact traditional marriage has on the family, stability and society as a whole."

In 2004, Georgia passed a constitutional amendment that makes it unconstitutional for the state to recognize or perform same-sex marriages or civil unions. This referendum was approved by 76% of the voters. Many other states did the same. It would be better that the courts and the government refrain from changing the religious definition of marriage altogether; however at a minimum, leave it to the citizens of each state to decide.

About Georgia Baptist Convention
The Georgia Baptist Convention is made up of autonomous, cooperating churches that partner together through the Cooperative Program, special mission offerings and mission efforts to share Jesus Christ across Georgia, throughout North America, and around the world. Churches give through the Cooperative Program and the State Missions Offering to support the missionaries and ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In turn, Georgia state missionaries provide assistance, training, encouragement, and support for the ministries of Georgia Baptist churches and associations. www.gabaptist.org

Contact
Mark Strange
Communications Director
770-936-5233
mstrange@gabaptist.org