"The Supreme Court's refusal to take up marriage cases means an immediate expansion of gay marriage. In terms of response, the church must not jettison a Christian sexual ethic in order to acclimate to the cultural moment. We have no authority to revise what Jesus handed down to us. And the church must not respond with a siege mentality. We live in an era in which marriage is redefined and confused. So did many of our forefathers and foremothers. The sexual revolution didn't start at Woodstock. It is always with us.
"Let's hold fast to what the gospel reveals about the meaning of marriage and the gospel behind it. Let's articulate a Christian vision of what marriage should be, and let's embody that vision in our churches. Let's love our gay and lesbian neighbors. Let's move forward with persuasion and with confidence. This is no time for retreat or for resentment. This is a time for mission."
-- Russell Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention
"The people by 80 percent passed this [2006] constitutional amendment, and it will be up- held in court."
-- Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey
"We know that time is not on the side of those who want to redefine marriage, as their temporary successes will only lead to a greater resolve by the majority of Americans who understand the real meaning and purpose of marriage to have their voices heard, especially as they see lower court judges continue to undermine the rule of law and erode their religious freedoms.
"While the Supreme Court will not be considering the rulings by these federal circuit courts at this time, we are hopeful that the Court is merely waiting to see if the circuit courts wind up with differing opinions on the issue before it jumps in to issue a final opinion. In this regard, we continue to remain optimistic that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals will, on the cases before it, issue an opinion that upholds the will of the people, including the 81 percent of Tennesseans who voted only eight short years ago in favor of recognizing marriage for what it is, the committed relationship between one man and one woman."
-- David Fowler, president, Family Action Council of Tennessee
"We are surprised and extremely disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to grant review of the same-sex marriage cases pending before them. This is wrong on so many levels. First, the entire idea that marriage can be redefined from the bench is illegitimate. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman; it has been this throughout the history of civilization and will remain this no matter what unelected judges say. Second, it's mind-boggling that lower court judges would be allowed to impose the redefinition of marriage in these states, and our highest court would have nothing to say about it. Third, the effect of the lower court rulings is to say that a constitutional right to same-sex 'marriage' has existed in every state in the union since 1868 when the 14th Amendment was ratified, but somehow nobody noticed until quite recently. That's the absurd belief we are being told to accept."
-- Brian S. Brown, president, National Organization for Marriage
"This is an unfortunate setback for sound constitutional self-government and a setback for a healthy marriage culture. Declining to review these cases does not speak one way or the other to the merits of the cases. But it does leave in place bad rulings from the lower courts."
-- Ryan T. Anderson, Heritage Foundation fellow in religion and free society