Nowhere is the opinion divide on gay marriage sharper than in the nation's religious communities. And last week's same-sex marriage ruling will do little to bring agreement on the definition of marriage, a social and religious touchstone that has torn apart families, congregations and entire dioceses.
"I'm soul-sick over this," said Pastor Dave Sawkins of Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos. "The Supreme Court is promoting a lifestyle that is destructive," he said. "We're not angry at homosexuals, we're trying to protect the family."
At San Francisco's Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Cecil Williams has been officiating at same-sex weddings for 40 years, a special sermon is planned for this morning marking the landmark court ruling.
"My opinion is it should have come a long time ago," Williams said. "I think it is going to be more open," at least among some clergy. "We are rejoicing; there should be no barriers to same-sex marriages."
Conservative Judaism, for example, recently voted to allow gay unions and ordain gay rabbis.
Rabbi Charles Familant, a Reform rabbi in Menlo Park, has been officiating at same-sex ceremonies for nearly two decades.
"The state is infringing on the church's rights to follow what the Bible says," said Pastor Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel San Jose. "I'm not condemning homosexuals."
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