New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is not ready to let go of his crusade against gay marriage, even though the issue has been “settled” in his state.

“I don’t think that there’s going to be some major referee who’s going to say now it’s time to stop,” Christie told reporters at the National Governors Association meeting on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., according to Time magazine. “Certainly I’m not going to, because these are opinions that I feel strongly about.”

Christie contended it was not time for Republicans to give up its opposition to marriage equality, but said it was important for people on both sides of the argument to establish mutual respect.

“The country will resolve this over a period of time, but do I think it’s resolved now? No,” Christie said, according to Time.

Christie also told reporters he did not have a prediction about how the debate will play out because he does not “have a crystal ball.”