The overturning of Roe v. Wade has a lot of people either crediting religion for the decision, or denouncing it for the same reason.

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Local clergy is weighing in on the decision, including two pastors with varying opinions on the issue. 

Gulf Coast Community Church Pastor Jerry Cisar gave his take on the historic move.

“In fact, I talked about it Sunday — mostly, the fact that the events of this past week aren’t a time for gloating,” he said. “Because one, the goal has never really been to have a world in which abortion is illegal, though I think that’s a good thing. The goal was to have a world in which abortion was not necessary.” 

Cisar says he is anti-abortion.

“We believe it’s important that the weakest member of society be protected from those more powerful," he said. "So I think women should be protected from those who would have authority over them, but I also think an infant in the womb should be protected from those who have more power over their life."

Like many, Cisar said he looks to the Bible for answers. 

“Verses that tell us to love our neighbors as ourselves," he said. "Verses that tell us not to kill."

Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Louis Murphy reads from that same book and points to John 8:7.

“So Jesus said those of you who are without sin, then you cast the first stone," he said. "They all had to walk away with their head down because they know they was just as jacked up as she was."

He has a different take and different Bible verse in mind on this issue.

“I ask the question, 'Why does it have to be either or?' I’m both — I’m pro-life and pro-choice,” he said. “I stand firmly on a woman’s right to choose; and I stand firmly on the sanctity of life. They go together. But that woman has to choose what is best for her.”

Murphy said there are so many more pressing issues — like poverty, racial and social justice, and gun violence — for people of faith to focus on.

“It’s not that I’m supporting abortion," he said. "I’m supporting (the idea that) God gives everybody their rights to make choices. God does not make us do anything — he asks us to make good choices, and you can’t make nobody make good choices."

As much as these two pastors may disagree, they agree on a whole lot more — like not mixing politics with religion and leading with love as a Christian.