For the most part, our pulpits were silent when the freedom of religion and conscience became a matter of state licensure in 1954 when churches were included in the Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), as mere nonprofit organizations.

For the most part, our pulpits were silent when the freedom to pray and read the Bible was removed from our public schools in 1962 and 1963.

For the most part, our pulpits were silent when the freedom of God-ordained self-defense became a state-sanctioned license and privilege in 1968.

For the most part, our pulpits were silent when the God-ordained right to life of unborn babies was expunged in 1973.

For the most part, our pulpits have been silent as our natural rights of privacy and local autonomy began being stripped from us in 2001.

And, now, the most important institution in human history — holy matrimony — has been “redefined” by Caesar’s court.

Now God has forced his pastors and churches to take a stand. There is no beating around the bush anymore. There is no avoiding the issue. Pastors and churches will either submit to Christ or they will submit to Caesar. There is no middle ground. There is no more fence straddling.

A question for church members is out there: What are you going to do if your pastor agrees to marry same-sex couples?

If your pastor will not take a stand on this, he won’t take a stand on anything. And if he hasn’t said anything from the pulpit already, why are you still there?

JADINE S. JETT

Glen Allen