(PENSACOLA, Fla.) Nov. 5 -- The Rev. Jamie Sanders of Pensacola's Unity Church and Executive Pastor Bob Meldrim of Marcus Pointe Baptist Church have strong opinions about church teachings, but differ in their biblical interpretations, specifically on marriage.
"We believe God created one man and one woman and created family before anything else," Meldrim said.
"We must be diverse and we must open our hearts and minds to what is happening as we progress as people and as a nation," Sanders said.
Some hoped Florida's Amendment 2, dubbed the Marriage Protection Amendment, would end this argument. The amendment recognized marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman, meaning gay and lesbian couples could not marry.
Tuesday 62 percent of Floridians voted for the amendment, gaining the approval required for Florida Law, but about 3 million opponents voted against it, meaning this divisive issue was far from over.
"I do believe it will come up again and I just encourage people, if you are frightened or angered, always ask yourself what that is about for you?" Sanders asked.
"They don't take no for an answer and they'll come at it one way or another. It's their right," said Meldrim. "That's the good about living in a free country. People can protest even when they don't agree."
Pensacola's Unity Church will continue performing commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples, but because of Amendment 2, the couples won't experience the same rights as married couples do.
Commitment ceremonies are a symbolic way for same-sex couples to pledge their love and devotion for one another.
