NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Two Tennessee State Representatives were set to introduce a "Pastor Protection Act" after the Supreme Court of the United State's ruling on same-sex marriage.
Representative Bryan Terry from Murfreesboro and Representative Andy Holt from Dresden, have been working on the bill for the last several months, in anticipation of the SCOTUS ruling.
It would protect leaders of any faith who are asked, and refuse, to perform a same-sex marriage against their faith.
"The intention of this legislation is to provide legal immunity to religious who wish not to provide ceremonies for same-sex couples. It also allows them to deny the use of their facilities for such ceremonies," Rep. Holt said.
The lawmaker said members of the House Republican Caucus spent more than an hour on the phone Friday after the SCOTUS ruling that allowed same-sex couples in Tennessee to marry.
Rep. Holt said it was very likely the Caucus will call for a special session to take up this issue. That could happen next week or during the first full week of July.
The vast majority of religious leaders in Tennessee disagree with the SCOTUS ruling, and will not recognize same-sex marriages.
Bishop David Choby from the Diocese of Nashville said he would support the Pastor Protection Act.
"If we believe, what we say we do, by way of religious freedom, then if it needs to be protected with some statute, I think it would probably be a good thing," said Bishop Choby.
The Bishop said he's hopeful those who support the freedom to have same-sex marriage, afford the same freedom to people whose faith was not consistent with their beliefs.
"It is a civil issue at this point," Bishop Choby said. "Whether it remains a civil issue, remains to be seen."
Reverend Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church had a different view on same-sex marriage then many of his colleagues.
"A lot of hatred comes out of passion, and emotion," Rev. Fuzz said. "I think what the Supreme Court did today brought us a better America."
Rev. Fuzz said it has not been his job to judge others, that judgment will come at another time.
"Let's love people, let's not judge people. We are maybe sinners in the hands of a loving God, more than we are sinners in the hands of an angry God," according to Rev. Fuzz.
The Reverend said he does not believe in civil unions and said marriage should only be recognized by a religious institution. He did pause when a reporter asked if he would marry a same-sex couple in his church.
"I'd probably go on and marry them. You know what, let me tell you something, the preacher don't marry folk, the state doesn't marry people, God marries people," Rev. Fuzz said.
The church leader said he expected others to criticize his views on same-sex marriage.
