The Supreme Court has rejected appeals form five states, Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin, regarding the issue of marriage. This, effectively, legalizes same-sex “marriage” in those states. Some believe the issue of marriage is destined for a ruling from the Supreme Court and this appeals rejection could signal how the court will rule. Up to this point the court has stopped short of legalizing same-sex “marriage” for all 50 states, but this appeals rejection opens up speculation on what the court will do in the future.

The following articles are a roundup of notable voices commenting on the appeals rejection by the Supreme Court.

The Blaze: Supreme Court Rejects Appeals From Five States Looking to Ban Gay Marriage

“The court’s order immediately ends delays on marriage in those states. Couples in six other states – Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming – should be able to get married in short order. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court’s review. That would make same-sex marriage legal in 30 states and the District of Columbia.”

Russell  Moore: Same-Sex Marriage and the Supreme Court: What Now for the Church?

“The Supreme Court has declined to take up appeals from states in which the courts have found same-sex marriage to be a constitutional right. This paves the way for same-sex marriage in many, perhaps most, places in the United States. Many Christians may be unaware of how momentous this is, since the denial of cases doesn’t come with quite the shock and awe of a ruling handed down. The effect though is wide-ranging. So what should our response be as the church of Jesus Christ…Let’s hold fast to what the gospel reveals about the meaning of marriage and the gospel behind it. Let’s articulate a Christian vision of what marriage should be, and let’s embody that vision in our churches. Let’s love our gay and lesbian neighbors. Let’s move forward with persuasion and with confidence. This is no time for retreat or for resentment. This is a time for mission.”

Citizenlink: Supreme Court Undermines Marriage Law, Churches at Risk

“The U.S. Supreme Court chose not to take up several challenges to marriage, today. That’s bad news for people who support the institution as the union of one man and one woman. The impact is immediate in five states: Marriage is now redefined in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. The action-by-inaction is expected to have a negative impact in six additional states: Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. Stuart Shepard gets a quick reaction from Focus on the Family Judicial Analyst Bruce Hausknecht. He says churches in those 11 states need to be paying special attention to how this may impact the use of their buildings.”(Video)

The Family Research Council: Supremes Dodge Most Important Issue Before Them — Marriage

“The Supreme Court has declined to take up any of the pending same-sex “marriage” cases before them. There is bad news and good news in this decision. The bad news is that these states have been denied the opportunity to defend their legitimate power to define marriage before the Supreme Court. The good news is that the Supreme Court does not seem to be as eager as many people assumed to issue a “Roe v. Wade“-type decision redefining marriage. This decision reflects cowardice on the part of the Supreme Court. People on both sides of the marriage debate agree that the constitutional issues that have been raised should be addressed by the highest court in the land. The Court is right to fear a backlash if they impose a redefinition of marriage on all fifty states; but they are wrong to just let the lower courts do their dirty work for them.”

Newsmax: Supreme Court Declines to Intervene in Gay Marriage Cases

“The high court’s decision not to hear the cases was unexpected because most legal experts believed it would want to weigh in on a question of national importance that focuses on whether the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal treatment under the law means gay marriage bans were unlawful. The issue could still return to the court, but the message sent by the court in declining to hear the matter would be a boost to gay marriage advocates involved in similar litigation in states that still have bans on the books.”

ChristianNews: U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear State Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Cases

“The Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for an immediate expansion of same-sex “marriage” by unexpectedly and tersely turning away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit homosexual unions. The court’s order effectively makes same-sex “marriage” legal now in 30 states. Without comment, the justices brought to an end delays in in five states— Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Chief Justice John Roberts did not say a word about the matter as he began the court’s new term. Homosexuals in six other states—Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming—will now likely move forward with obtaining licenses. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court’s review.”