Tenn. Official: God, Don't Smite Us for Gay Marriage

With same-sex marriage now the law of the land, the commissioner of Blount County, Tenn., is proposing a resolution asking that the Supreme Being "pass us by in His coming wrath and not destroy our county as he did Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities." Karen Miller's resolution itself is called the "Resolution condemning judicial tyranny and petitioning God's mercy." The county will consider it on Tuesday, reports the Daily Times, which adds that given the strong opinions on both sides, the debate "could turn fiery." But unlike Kim Davis in Kentucky, Miller doesn't seem to be drumming up a lot of public support so far, notes World Net Daily. Writes Tom Boggioni at Raw Story, "Presumably God will hold off His wrath until the resolution can be considered as it is listed as seventh on the docket."

One retired Christian educator said, "I think the wrath of God is more inclined to fall on those people who are so condemning and judgmental … But, I believe more greatly in the grace of God, and I believe the grace of God makes room for all people at the table." One resident who just celebrated his 25th anniversary with his partner by legally marrying emailed the paper that he finds the resolution's wording "to be a very sad form of intolerance from our government." Gwen Schablik of the Tennessee Equality Project is recruiting others to attend Tuesday's meeting. "Being a resident of the county, it’s just shocking," she said. "You just can’t pick one religious view and let it dictate marriage laws for everyone." (The debate continues to rage in Kentucky, too.)