Some Tennessee Churches Opposed To Amendment 1

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - About two dozen clergy representing different faiths voiced have voiced their opposition to the gay marriage amendment.

Those who met at Knoxville's Church of the Savior United Church of Christ read a prepared statement of opposition. Pastor John Gill says the statement was signed by about 50 clergy and was aimed at dispelling the belief that all churches and synagogues supported the measure.

The amendment would constitutionally define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It also would declare same-sex marriages performed in other states void in Tennessee.

The statement declared state government should work to protect the rights of all Tennesseans.

The Reverend Chris Buice of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church said religious ideas are between him and his God, not him and his government.

A United Methodist minister, the Reverend Jim Sessions asked why conservatives would think it was a good idea for government to get involved in private relationships.

State Senator David Fowler, who heads the Family Action Council of Tennessee, says the clergy group is in the minority, considering where the church is and has historically been.

The council is operating a Web site at www.RealMarriage.org that says it's an effort to "protect Tennessee marriage."

(Source: AP)