Approximately 100 Black Pastors in Detroit recently slammed how gay activists were trying to link redefining marriage to the civil rights movement.  The criticism came at a rally after the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals' led by Judge Bernard Friedman ruled the previous 2004 decision defining marriage between one man and one woman was unconstitutional.

Revive Alive Missional Ministry creator Reverend Stacy Swimp expressed his displeasure at Judge Friedman's decision, and claimed that the arguments linking amending the definition of marriage to civil rights was "intellectually empty."

"To state that marriage redefinition is in any way similar to the civil rights movement is intellectually empty, dishonest and manufactured. When has anyone from the LGBT demographic ever been publicly lynched, specifically excluded from moving into neighborhoods, prohibited from sitting on a jury and denied the right to sue others because of their sexual preferences?," said Reverend Swimp to the Detroit Free Press. "We think it's insulting and disrespectful to hundreds of years of struggle," she continued, "of sacrifice... of loss of life both black and white on behalf of equality for Black Americans."

Westside Minister's Alliance President and Greater Bethlehem Church Senior Pastor Dr. Randolph Thomas echoed Swimp's sentiments.

"We will not follow men who would rather believe a lie than the truth. We cannot and will not endorse anyone who blatantly blasphemes the Word of God and leads people in the wrong direction," said Dr. Thomas, according to Charisma News.

However, Dana Nessel, a lawyer who defended a lesbian couple in Michigan, supported Judge Friedman's decision.

"The viewpoints expressed by these organizations now represent a radical fringe among the religious community as a whole. Our clients and our case have enjoyed wide support by a panoply of religious groups who find the demagoguery of hatred against LGBT citizens and their children to be reprehensible," said Nessel to Detroit Free Press.  "Ultimately, though, this case does not rest upon any single religious doctrine but upon the rule of law, in which the Constitution of the United States dictates that all persons must be treated equally, irrespective of the gender of our parents or of those we love."

Burnette Inspiration Baptist Church of Detroit's Rev. Roland Caldwell vowed not to take the decision lying down.

"The fight is on," said Caldwell. "We've come together to say, 'Hell no. We're not going to sit back'."

Free Will Baptist Church Rev. Rex Evans issued the following message to people who attended the rally last week.

"We love everybody, but we don't love the [gay] lifestyle," said Rev. Evans. "[There is a] small group of people trying to destroy the [nation's] foundation. It's time to take our nation back."