Protection or bias?

Tri-City area pastors have differing views about a proposed law going through the House of Representatives that would allow pastors to refuse services and participation in “certain marriages” that violate a sincerely held religious belief.

The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure passed House Bill 597 Tuesday. The bill would protect pastors from punitive action if they refuse to marry same-sex couples. Debate in the full House is scheduled for Tuesday.

The bill was written by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City .

“I’m just happy that we have our rights as Catholics protected,” said the Rev. Bill Rogalla at St. Bernadette Church in Bayou Vista. “But on the same token, the church doors are always open.

“The world seems to think the church is into gay-bashing, and that’s not it at all. The church is into the dignity of the human being … using our gifts that God gives us in a sacred and holy way.”

Rogella called sexuality “a great gift from God. But it can only be used in a sacred union that we call marriage. …

“The church recognizes marriage between a man and a woman,” Rogalla said. “The holy father (Pope Francis) just released a document last Friday reaffirming that, amongst other things dealing with family and family life.”

The Rev. Doug Lassiter, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgan City, called the bill “the most worthless piece of junk I’ve ever heard even put forward.

“It’s ridiculous. Whether I believe in same-sex marriage or not, it’s legalized discrimination. We’ve decided now, if you’re gay, you can’t sit at the lunch counter.”

Lassiter said that within their own churches, pastors aren’t required to marry anyone.

“I’ve turned down heterosexual couples for marriages I didn’t think were ready for marriage,” Lassiter said. “So, they can’t force you to marry anybody already.”

Lassiter was once asked if he would marry a same-sex couple. His response: “No one has ever asked me.”

For him though, marrying couples is a choice that he already has the authority to make. But as far as he is concerned, the bill is still legalized discrimination.

Traditionally, most religious organizations have instituted the defining parameters of what marriage looks like and with whom.

“The Bible says, ‘That which God has put together let no man put asunder,’ and ‘God created Adam and Eve,’ you see, that’s there,” said the Rev. Chrispin Smith, pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Morgan City.

“You can disagree,” Smith said. “My standing is from the Bible. Not what Congress says but … what God says. I believe what God says. Higher than man’s power. The creator of the world that created man.”