Ron Mills- News And Commentary: N.C. pastor asks why religion is being used to deny civil marriage to gays and lesbians

Rev. Reggie Longcrier, pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, N.C., submitted a question on marriage equality for the CNN's YouTube Presidential debate. It's a powerful, short and simple video.

While Longcrier's question could have been asked of all of the presidential candidates ), he happened to direct the question to former N.C. Senator John Edwards because of his statement that he is unable at this time to "cross that bridge" to support marriage equality.

Sen. Edwards has said his opposition to gay marriage has been influenced by his Southern Baptist background. We know religion was once used to justify slavery, segregation and women not being allowed to vote, all of which today are recognized as unconstitutional and socially and morally wrong. So why is it still acceptable to use religion to justify denying gay and lesbian American their full and equal rights.