Gov. Youngkin indicated that he believes the issue was settled by the Supreme Court in their 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. The governor also said that he signed the bill because it contained language protecting the right of religious organizations and clergy to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.
However, after hearing from our good friend Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia, our disappointment has only grown. In our view, the governor's explanation just doesn't hold up.
To begin with, religious organizations and pastors already have strong religious liberty protections from the First Amendment to the Constitution, and from Virginia's laws protecting religious liberty.
Gov. Youngkin could have vetoed the bill, forcing Democrats to come up with supermajorities in the House of Delegates and the state Senate to override his veto, which was highly unlikely. He could have sent it back to the legislature with recommendations for reconsideration. Or, he could have refused to sign the bill, in which case it would still become law but without his approval.
Many pro-family conservatives were disappointed by Gov. Youngkin's decision on this particular issue. But is this proof of why it is a waste of time for Christians to be politically involved? Is it an example of why pastors and churches should avoid so-called "political issues"?
Of course, not. That cannot be the lesson. We will always be disappointed by other human beings, but we must remain determined to defend our values.
As we strive to be committed Christians, involved citizens, and good parents, our only reliable bulwark is Jesus Christ. No politician will ever replace Jesus.
But there will be times when politicians we like will disappoint us. That should not come as a surprise. Even our friends and family members occasionally let us down. That does not change the fact that we should try to elect people who are the least likely to disappoint us and the most likely to uphold biblical values.
