Christian leaders vows civil disobedience if Supreme Court legalises same sex marriage

Supporters of same sex marriage rally in front of the Supreme Court in Washington before the court hears arguments about gay marriage.Reuters

Christians leaders are warning of civil disobedience if the Supreme Court legalises same sex marriage.

This was the warning from Mat Staver, the founder of the Liberty Counsel and co-author of the Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage, a statement which seeks to emphasize the position of individuals across differing faith perspectives to protect the sanctity of marriage. 

In an interview with FoxNews, Staver did not mince words when he elaborated on what religious leaders meant when they drafted the pledge.

"Yes, I'm talking about civil disobedience. I'm talking about resistance and I'm talking about peaceful resistance against unjust laws and unjust rulings.We're sending a warning to the Supreme Court and frankly any court that crosses the line on the issue of marriage," he said.

A portion of the pledge stated: "Our highest respect for the rule of law requires that we 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. 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."

It further warned that that if the Court insists on redefining marriage in an effort to grant equality to same sex couples, it will cause more issues in the future and there will be clashes with religious freedom and rights to conscience. 

"On the matter of marriage, we stand in solidarity. We affirm that marriage and family have been inscribed by the Divine Architect into the order of Creation. Marriage is ontologically between one man and one woman, ordered toward the union of the spouses, open to children and formative of family," the pledge stated.

It continued: "We stand united together in defense of marriage. Make no mistake about our resolve. While there are many things we can endure, redefining marriage is so fundamental to the natural order and the common good that this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross."

The pledge has been signed by personalities such as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, National Religious Broadcasters president Jerry Johnson, Pastor John Hagee, and Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, along with over 25,000 individuals on the Defend Marriage website.

The US Supreme Court is currently in the process of hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on gay marriage.