CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The newly elected president of North Carolina’s largest religious denomination said he hopes for a civil debate over a proposal to ban samesex marriage in the state constitution.
The Rev. Mark Harris, president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, said he understands the question is an emotional one.
But Harris said he thinks both sides can respectfully argue their cases.
Harris was elected to a oneyear term last month. The convention represents roughly 4,300 churches and some 1.3 million members in North Carolina.
Voters will decide in May whether the state constitution should be amended to ban same-sex marriage.
About 250 clergy from multiple denominations have signed a statement denouncing the proposal.
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