Reverend quits Iowa/Nebraska NAACP over same-sex marriage

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/10/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Declares that Christianity is not a 'have it your way' religion

The Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr., a prominent leader in the Iowa/Nebraska branch of the NAACP has announced his resignation as branch president and a national board member. Ratliff says he is leaving the nation's oldest civil rights group over the organization's decision to endorse same-sex marriage.

During a Statehouse rally in March 2011, The Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr. said his support for traditional marriage was biblically based, adding, 'This isn't a private interpretation, a Burger King religion, and by that I mean a 'have it your way' religion.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Ratliff, affiliated with the Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church in Des Moines issued a statement, saying he was resigning the NAACP national board as Iowa/Nebraska state conference president "due to the NAACP's position and support of same-sex marriage.

"I want to thank the NAACP for the privilege to humbly serve in such an organization and thank all those I had the privilege to work with in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and throughout the country," Ratliff said in the statement.

An outspoken critic of same-sex marriage rights, Ratliff has spoken at Statehouse rallies seeking an amendment to the Iowa Constitution to undo a controversial, landmark state Supreme Court ruling in April 2009 that gave legal status to same-gender marriages. The proposed constitutional amendment would define marriage in Iowa as only between one man and one woman.

During a Statehouse rally in March 2011, Ratliff said his support for traditional marriage was biblically based, adding, "This isn't a private interpretation, a Burger King religion, and by that I mean a 'have it your way' religion."

The national board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People voted in favor of same-sex marriages last year.

In addition to his religious duties, Ratliff serves on numerous community boards and leads a quarterly NAACP leadership meeting with Governor Vilsack addressing issues such as education, healthcare, justice and economic empowerment as they impact Iowa's African American and minority communities.

Ratliff and his wife have been married for 32 years and have five children.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Reverend Keith Ratliff, Sr., same-sex marriage, NAACP

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Charlene Rehder
11 months ago
Asking an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Rev. Keith Ratliff, Sr. and thanking God for his courage and faithfulness! He is an inspiration to me~to continue to stand for what is right, no matter the personal cost!
Helen
11 months ago
What a gracious message of thanks this gentleman sent as part of his resignation. God Bless him and his congregation.
Theresa H
11 months ago
God bless Rev. Ratliff for his faith-filled decision to leave the NAACP.... Let's pray he finds his way to the Catholic Church. So many non-Catholic Christian Denominations have formally succumbed to tenets of the hedonistic culture in which we are all immersed. Yes, individual Catholics have succumbed, too, but if we stay close to "Peter" we shall know the truth, as Jesus promised: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it...." (Mt 16:18) Catholics have a sure "rock" on which to stand! And if one still has any doubt, Jesus couldn't have made it clearer when he said: "He who hears you, hears me...." (Lk 10:16) The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" keeps us "in tune" with Jesus and the Bible !
Diane
11 months ago
I wish that the 7 blacks who live in my apartment building would read this but they won't. They still agree with Obama and the Naacp's support of homosexual marriage as a civil right. Oddly they call themselves religious and if anyone disagrees with them about this issue they call them racist. They said they were against abortion but voted for Obama anyway, the most proabortion politician in American history. How can a prolife person have a respectful and calm discussion about these issues with people like that? How can a prolife person get through to them that abortion and homosexual issues are above race and involve the common good? It's good what this reverend did but I don't think very many blacks are going to do what he has done. Winning an election and a desire for power have twisted and ruined many people throughout history. Obviously this reverend cares more for his soul than anything and he's got that right. There is no excuse for supporting the murder of babies or the destruction of marriage.
beatrice Ogaz
11 months ago
I congratulate his intregrity as a servant of God and ofTruth. My prayers accompany him as he leaves his prestigious post.
GLORIA HULTINE
11 months ago
I WISH I COULD GIVE Reverend Keith Ratliff, Sr. MY APPRECIATION AND THANKS FOR HIS FAITH AND COURAGE!
-- ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS AFFILIATION WITH NAACP MEANS A LOT TO HIM!

GLORIA
Thomas A Cahill
11 months ago
The Rev Ratliff has let us know that the great divide in the color of our skin has no meaning where character is concerned. He sacrificed his personal comfort and considerable honors for the Word of God. And so colorfully eloquent too. Thanks you Rev Ratliff for sharing your "faith in action" with all of us.
Austin, TX
Sylvia Bertolini
11 months ago
It's so sad that the only choice a just man has is to resign. It should be all the others.

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