Alabama pastor blasts gay marriage at Birmingham city hall
BIRMINGHAM (Christian Examiner) – Noting there were historic same-sex marriages Feb. 9 at Linn Park across the street from Birmingham City Hall, street evangelist Cedric Hatcher took the opportunity to air his public criticism at a city council meeting.
"To me yesterday was one of the most bizarre scenes I've ever seen in the city," Hatcher said in remarks posted in a YouTube video by al.com. Hatcher is also named as pastor of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham in a December, 2013 story at WIAT.com.
"It was one of the most comedic scenes I've ever seen in public when I witnessed men with size 13 and 14 shoes out there kissing each other in the mouth in front of little kids. It was like a freak scene going on, that's what I call it."
A district judge Monday struck down the state's ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional. State Supreme Court Justice Roy S. Moore instructed probate judges to not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, though not all of them have complied, according to reports.
Addressing the mayor and city council member during the public comment portion of the city council meeting, Hatcher quoted several Bible verses and said children should not have to witness adults engaged in open displays of affection.
"I'm so delighted and honored that God would have me bold enough to stand and talk about these issues," he said. "Somebody should have stood up yesterday."
"And to have your kids out there yesterday, six, seven years old, holding flags – the Bible said provoke not your children to wrath ... . Proverbs 22: 6-7 -- train up a child in the way he should go and when he get old he wouldn't depart," Hatcher said.
"I'm so delighted and honored that God would have me bold enough to stand and talk about these issues," he said. "Somebody should have stood up yesterday."
Hatcher wondered aloud why area pastors didn't show up, speculating that soon the law will open the doors to other types of marriages.
He said his voice is just a small one, but that he still has a right to speak.