Pastors rally in opposition to gay marriage ahead of federal court case in Detroit
By Jake Neher
A federal judge will hear arguments this week over whether Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional. The trial begins Tuesday in Detroit.
Ahead of the arguments, dozens of Michigan pastors rallied in support of the ban Monday in Detroit.
"We're not standing here against anybody. We're standing here for the biblical principle and foundation of marriage," said Ellis L. Smith, founder of Jubilee City Church in Detroit.
The pastors say the court should respect the rights of Michigan voters who approved defining marriage as between one man and one woman almost ten years ago.
"Don't tell me that I can go to the polls one day and then the next day you tell me I don't know what I'm doing," said Pastor Roland Caldwell with Burnette Inspirational Ministries in Detroit.
Supporters of overturning the ban say same-sex couples' rights to equal protection under the law trump the state constitutional amendment.