County wants resolution asking for 'God's mercy' after gay marriage ruling

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An East Tennessee county will consider a resolution asking God for mercy as it is forced to comply with the Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide.

The resolution says Blount County must comply with the ruling by issuing and recognizing marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

The Tennessean reports that the resolution asks state officials including the governor and attorney general to protect "natural marriage" from "lawless" court opinions and defend moral standards.

It also asks God to protect the county from the fate of the biblical cities Sodom and Gomorrah.

The resolution says, "We adopt this resolution before God that He pass us by in His Coming Wrath and not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah."

"As the Passover Lamb was a means of salvation to the ancient Children of Israel,k so we stand upon the safety of the Lamb of God to save us," the resolution says.

The county commission will take up the resolution at its Tuesday meeting.