The Raw Story website reports today (March 20, 2012) that former President Jimmy Carter -- in an interview with The Huffington Post last night regarding his faith -- expressed his approval of same-sex marriage.
"Homosexuality was well-known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born, and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality," Carter said. "In all of His teachings about multiple things -- He never said that gay people should be condemned. I personally think it is very fine for gay people to be married in civil ceremonies."
The 39th American president also said, "I draw the line in requiring by law that churches must marry people."
He added, "I'm a Baptist, and I believe that each congregation is autonomous and can govern its own affairs. So if a local Baptist Church wants to accept gay members on an equal basis -- which my church does by the way -- then it is fine. If a church decides not to, then government laws shouldn't require them to."
