Pastors Call Out Injustice in State Policy

Advocates say "Moral Majority" must rise up

A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition gathered at the State Capitol today ahead of Gov. Bill Lee's State of the State Address.

The group highlighted policies it says are harming Tennesseans and then called on what it suggests is a "moral majority" to rise up and not be silent in the face of injustice.

Rev. Aaron Marble, Pastor of Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist Church said, "What is our state leading the nation in? We are not leading in equity. We are not leading in protecting the civil rights of all of our citizens. We are not leading and restoring voting rights. We are not leading in restorative justice, and we are not leading in valuing democracy."

Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, Pastor of Glencliff United Methodist Church in Nashville, said, "No matter where students live or the color of their skin, every child deserves the chance to have a high quality education from their local public school. We can all see that our communities are healthier and stronger when excellent public schools are just down the block.

McIntyre said Gov. Lee's voucher plan would harm our state's public schools.

"Instead of trying to make the situation better and choosing to fully fund our public schools, Governor Lee is publicly promoting his voucher scheme, which we only take funds from school districts the state doesn't already adequately fund, and instead funnel money to his friends and donors in the private school sphere."

Rev. Marble added that although Gov. Lee's party has a Supermajority in the legislature, what Marble referred to as a "moral majority" across Tennessee is ready to rise up and stand for justice.

"They may have Supermajority in the House. But we have a moral majority outside of the house. In the scriptures, Pharaoh had a Supermajority, but Moses had the moral majority. Goliath had a Supermajority, but David had a moral majority. Nebuchadnezzar had a Supermajority, but those three Hebrew boys had a moral majority. Herod, Pilot and Calvary had a Supermajority, but resurrection had the Moral Majority. Justice and righteousness will never lose. The devil is a liar. God is exalted, and we who seek justice will never be defeated. We will not be silent, nor will we be silenced. If they are in the seat, they should expect that we will speak."

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