In response...
I feel pain for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly members of the LCMS church I was born into but long ago chose to leave. To those members of the LCMS whose faith in the message of love is strong, I say this, may it one day change the message of non-love and non-acceptance that your church leaders continue to focus on. Yesterday's decision imposes nothing on churches or religious tenants. It does however demonstrate that love and dignity reign supreme as values our nation holds true. To suggest, as you do, that this decision will force religious institutions to marry same sex couples is misleading and a lie. To suggest that the LCMS view on this matter is shared by all Christians or Christian leaders, as you do, is also misleading and a lie. To lie, is a sin. What this decision does do is free the millions of Americans who do not belong to religious institutions or abide by tenants of other faiths and denominations from being subjected to your or anyone else's interpretation of scripture or religion. This decision discusses civil marriage only - not those conducted by or blessed by any religion.

Respectfully,
Brian V. Guse
A former member.