CBN News:

A major coalition of black pastors is thanking the Republican Party for its vigorous support of traditional marriage in its party platform.

"We thank the GOP for ensuring that at least one party is willing to stand up for the common sense, biblical understanding of marriage," Rev William Owens, head of the Coalition of African-American Pastors, said.

Owens' son William said believers failed to stand up when prayer was stripped from public schools and abortion was legalized.

He said Christians must not be passive now about same-sex marriage being legalized.

"We celebrate marriage. We stand to really hurt the heart of God if we take that position. We're more accountable to God than we are to man," Owens said.

Both men said that if the Democratic Party is going to put power and resources behind gay marriage, groups like theirs must rise to defend traditional marriage.