Alabama pastor on gay marriage ruling: The foundation of our society is the family — one man, one woman

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January 24, 2015

Dr. Billy Joy, Senior Pastor of Valley View Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

As news broke Friday evening that a federal judge had struck down Alabama’s constitutional ban on gay marriage, individuals on both sides of the issue took to social media to respond.

Alabama's gay marriage ban struck down. It's past time to get beyond the divisive issue. learn to live with & love one another! #alpolitics

— Matt Murphy (@mattmurphyshow) January 24, 2015

It's outrageous when a single unelected and unaccountable federal judge can overturn the will of millions of Alabamians #alpolitics (1 of 4)

— Mike Hubbard (@SpeakerHubbard) January 24, 2015

Everytime a judge strikes down a gay marriage ban a republican cries and my soul is filled with joy. #Freedom #ALpolitics #Alabama

— Amy Beckerle Andrews (@amyaub) January 24, 2015

According to @YHN a federal judge has struck down Alabama's Ban on Gay Marriage. http://t.co/YrUFmEZawY #alpolitics sad day in AL

— Ty Coffey (@tycoffey) January 24, 2015

But while there were countless knee-jerk reactions on social media from individuals on both sides, one Facebook post by a Tuscaloosa pastor seemed to best sum up the feelings of traditional marriage supporters around the state, particularly in the church.

“Please know that as Christians, we are not to sit in judgment of anyone. However, the foundation for society was set forth by God to be the family — one man and one woman,” wrote Dr. Billy Joy, pastor of Valley View Baptist Church. “It does not matter that the President, our judges, and society have deemed God’s Word as irrelevant as it relates to marriage and the family; our gauge for Godly living will always be ‘thus saith the Lord.’ It is love, not judgment, that speaks the truth to those that are living in opposition to it. We need an Awakening!”

According to Reuters, “because U.S. District Court Judge Callie Granade did not place a stay on her ruling, same-sex couples could be eligible to apply for marriage licenses when clerk’s offices open, which gay rights advocates said could be as soon as Saturday.”

But Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said his office plans to put the ruling on hold pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue. The high court will hear arguments on the case in April and could issue a ruling as early as June.