Many religious and conservative groups Friday blasted the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling upholding gay marriage nationwide as a an attack on core American beliefs, religious liberty, state's rights, and the rule of law.
Here are some of their statements:
Ronnie Floyd, president, Southern Baptist Convention:
"I deeply believe in biblical and traditional marriage. The court has determined otherwise.
"Our No. 1 concern at this point is that religious freedom is protected in every way, honoring our God-given conscience, and that we not be discriminated against for our biblical and traditional stand.
"This decision shows one thing: Our desperate need for the next great awakening and the hope of the Gospel given to all persons.
"We must rise up like never before with great urgency, to forward the message of Jesus Christ to every person in America and across the world."
Alveda C. King, pastoral associate, Priests for Life, Staten Island, N.Y.:
"The Supreme Court has spoken and ruled from a position of common law, human law, that gay and lesbian couples have a fundamental right to marry.
"This is the highest rule that humans can make. Yet, this is not the final word.
"In the end, natural law, God's law, will always trump common law.
"Do not fear or be confused or deceived. Remain prayerful. Keep looking up. God will have the final Word in this matter."
Reince Priebus, chairman, Republican National Committee:
"The Supreme Court failed to recognize the states’ constitutional role in setting marriage policy, instead finding a federal role where there is none. In doing so, they have taken power away from the states and from the people to settle the relevant issues for themselves.
"Even though the Supreme Court has spoken with finality, there remains a diversity of opinions about marriage policy — from those celebrating today’s ruling to those concerned about the constitutional balance of power.
"As a party, we believe in the importance of traditional marriage between a man and a woman and remain committed to finding common ground to champion the family’s role in society. Marriage is critically important to strengthening our country and our communities.
"Likewise, we will remain champions of religious liberty. Today’s ruling cannot and must not be used to coerce a church or religious institution into performing marriages that their faith does not recognize.
"We should respect the sincerely held religious views of our fellow citizens, just as we respect those on the winning side of this case."
Matt Schlapp, chairman, American Conservative Union:
"The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has dramatically reimagined the role of our Judiciary and has empowered the Court to behave as unelected legislators without term limits.
"It should come as no surprise given Thursday's tragic dismantling of a government of, for, and by the people, that the Roberts court has moved us further in the direction of using the judiciary to serve political ends by disregarding the notion of constitutionality in today’s decision.
"Sadly, one consequence of this overreach will undoubtedly be growing resentment and rancor around these issues.
"As in the Roe vs. Wade decision concerning abortion, usurping the will of the people does not resolve conflict, it only extends it.
"If America is strong enough to live under this decision, then it should be strong enough to protect the rights of sincere and decent people of faith, whose rights are sadly forgotten."
Steve Crampton, special counsel, Thomas More Society:
"Today’s Supreme Court decision purporting to redefine the institution of marriage will be regarded by many Americans as a grave aberration that obliterates the borderline between the rule of law and policy-making.
"Natural marriage — the union of one man and one woman — is the foundation for a stable, fruitful civil society. Without it, societies are prone to crumble.
"The Constitution does not authorize the court to redefine marriage, nor to rob the people of their right of self-governance — to debate and determine for themselves what laws will govern. This is not justice. It is sheer judicial activism and politics run amok."
The Thomas More Society, based in Chicago, wrote a brief in support of traditional marriage in the case.
Ken Cuccinelli, president, Senate Conservatives Fund:
"Today's Supreme Court decision is yet another tragic case of judicial activism. Unelected and unaccountable justices should not rewrite the Constitution as the court did today.
"Issues not addressed in our founding document should explicitly be left up to the states and the people, as has been the case for marriage for over 200 years, including the Supreme Court's own previous 9-0 ruling that marriage is exclusively a state matter.
"Unfortunately, those with no consideration for the rule of law have redefined what marriage means through judicial fiat."
John Stemberger, president, Florida Family Policy Council, Orlando:
"This sad day in history will forever reflect that the highest court of our land ignored the rule of law and the will of 51 million people in over 38 states in an illegitimate act of raw judicial power and arrogance.
"Though countless millions of U.S. voters have defined marriage as between a man and a woman through the legitimate democratic process, a handful of judges in one decision today have disenfranchised them.
"The court deliberately ignored the plain meaning and legal history behind the Constitution and foolishly disregarded what is self-evident in biology, logic and the collective wisdom of human history.
"Regardless of how it appears, today’s decision is not the final word on marriage."