• Southern Baptists overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on same-sex marriage at their annual convention.
• The resolution calls for the reversal of the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
• The convention addressed multiple resolutions, including restrictions on sports betting and pornography.
• The meeting also highlighted ongoing concerns about sexual abuse within the denomination.
• Attendance was lower than previous decades, reflecting shifts in congregational engagement.

At their annual gathering in Dallas, over 10,000 representatives from the Southern Baptist Convention overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution advocating for the ban on same-sex marriage. This resolution explicitly calls for the "overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges," that contradict what the group considers God's design for marriage. The resolution, though not using the term "ban," seeks to promote laws affirming that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman, according to HuffPost, CBS News, and BBC.

The convention's resolution is part of a broader policy agenda focused on reversing progressive social trends, including calls to curtail sports betting and promote policies that support childbearing. This reflects a desire among Southern Baptists to align legislative measures with what they term "natural law" and Biblical principles. Andrew Walker, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, emphasized the group's intent to maintain a strong opposition to the widespread social acceptance of same-sex marriage, according to statements made to CBS News and BBC.

One notable absence from this year's meeting was the engagement of several abuse survivors and advocates for reform, following concerns over the handling of sexual abuse cases within the Baptist community. The death of Jennifer Lyell, a prominent whistleblower on these issues, cast a shadow over the proceedings, highlighting the ongoing struggle for victims within the denomination. Many advocates chose to boycott the gathering, citing insufficient progress made by the Southern Baptist Convention in addressing these critical issues, as reported by HuffPost and CBS News.

Despite the emphasis on traditional values, the endorsement of these resolutions marks a pivotal moment for the Southern Baptist Convention, as it actively seeks to counter the legal and cultural affirmations of same-sex marriage that have gained ground since the Obergefell decision. While experts note that a direct reversal of Obergefell is complex, the push from the Southern Baptists demonstrates an assertiveness in their political engagement and alignment with the broader Christian right, as analyzed in BBC.

The Southern Baptists plan to continue pursuing structural changes within their organization, including discussions on establishing a constitutional ban on women serving as pastors. This indicates a clear trend towards consolidating power and maintaining traditionally conservative views within the denomination, according to HuffPost, CBS News, and BBC.