I never would have imaged that just a decade ago the bed-rock of every civilized culture – the definition of marriage and the family unit – would be under going such an assault as has exploded around the world and now in the American family life. Sure our traditional marriages are not perfect, but I dare say that the new age alternatives being offered up will be the downfall of mankind.
Even if one does not believe as I do from a Biblical world view, that marriage was God’s design for his creation of man-kind for a man and a woman - how can anyone turn a blind eye to the basic anatomy of a naked man and woman united together? This perfectly created union that so righty fits together -- as God says for our completeness, and for procreations.
On one side of the argument we have today’s gay-rights advocates saying, in the name of “Sexual Liberty”, they have a politically-correct better idea (like Ford, McDonalds, and the Wal-Marts of the world agree) that same-sex marriage is a self-declared right that cannot be denied. Today it is marriage between two of the same-sex and tomorrow’s will be the desire for the first “legal” trio-sex union and beyond. Can we not see the slipper-slope back to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah?
The Massachusetts and California Legal Systems have started the battle for same sex marriages across the entire United States of America. Take for example California’s Proposition 8. This proposition is on the November 4th ballot to overturn the State’s Supreme Court decision and restore the definition of marriage that was approved by a mere 61% of voters. The ballot title originally approved for Proposition 8 described the proposal as a state amendment "to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Now Democrat State Attorney General Jerry Brown has managed to change the title to describe the proposal as amending the state constitution to "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." No matter how it’s worded I believe the correct vote is YES!
On the other side of the argument are basically those with a Biblical world view. The following organizations represent my beliefs and I hope yours also. As Bill O'Reilly would say, ”What say you?”
A "Yes on Proposition 8" video produced by the American Family Association @ http://www.afa.net/prop8video/index.html
Restoring Marriage and Protecting California Children @ http://www.protectmarriage.com/
The Campaign For Our Children, Inc., says YES @ http://www.marriageworksusa.com/
Marriage and Family Defense @ http://www.family.org/socialissues/Marriage/
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Gen. 2:24-25
12 comments:
I say you can maintain your religious point of view, and approve only the marriages you want in your church.
But when it comes to CIVIL marriage, we must have equality. If we are not all equal, then none of us are equal.
Furthermore, the freedom of religion and marriage equality are inextricably linked in the law. You can't have one without the other.
After all, the law must accommodate differences. If the law only protects the right of a Jew or Seventh-Day Adventist to celebrate the sabbath on Sunday, the protection is meaningless. Likewise, if the law only protects a lesbian's right to marry a man, that protection is also meaningless.
Tom, we obviously appear to be marching to the beat of two different teachers of law. One is morally and the other is legally, constraining or binding. One is of God and the other is of Man trying to be like god.
The God of the Bible created the Law of Love, it sees the will of loving God as the rule for the disposition and conduct of all responsible beings toward him and toward each other; a rule of living from an internal conscience or moral nature; conformable to righteousness and salvation.
Man created the Law of Legalism, a rule of being or of conduct, established by an authority able to enforce its will on others; an external controlling regulation; a law of self-interest which if left unchecked will lead to its own self destruction and damnation.
The bottom line is primary source of our laws. Is it “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union…” or is it God who so loved the world and said when asked - Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' Matthew 22:36-39 (NASB)
Tom, I pray that you will come to know and believe the God ordained law of His love, demonstrated for the whole world to see, and recorded in John 3:16.
So you're hoping for a theocracy, then?
No not a theocracy, my ultimate desire is for the kingdom of God called Heaven, but that’s God's call, not mine. So until then I'll just stick with and support this political republic where God has place me. Tom, I believe that you know that governments always force their will (law) on their people which they basically follow by fear. But I think what you are missing is that God will never force His will (law) on his people and they follow by faith.
So back to the original debate about marriage - I concede that if a majority of today’s people have a desire to create government sponsored same-sex civil partnerships or unions for their own reasons, that's their business. But when these same people (in a minority) choose to distort and blur the clearly defined traditional definition of the institution of marriage with these unnatural types of unions, and then call them a marriage -- that's where I will speak-out in opposition, as I would hope others would.
By the way, earlier I mentioned voting on November 4th, here are links to what our two presidential candidates recently said at Saddleback Church when asked to define marriage. See what they said:
Obama said, http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5b1e2fe4acb138dbbbee
McCain said, http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=92c5408204645632474f
As for me and my house I will attempt to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. Marriage is from God, not of man's own design!
"As for me and my house I will attempt to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. Marriage is from God, not of man's own design!"
Sorry, Ed, but we are talking about CIVIL marriage here. If you don't want to redefine marriage in your church, that's fine. I'd fight and die to protect your right to do so.
But to deny fellow, tax-paying citizens equality under the law, well that's un-American and un-Christian.
Tom, It's been nice chatting with you, and now I hope to hear "What say you" from some others.
For now I'll just leave it that I hope we will both one day see the errors of our ways and make amends!
~keith
Tom, I've deleted your last posted comment, and will not give you any further comment space in this post for your pro-homosexual position. In a world of decaying family values the homosexual effects of non-traditional "marriages" on those that come behind us is very troubling to me, hence I will not support this assault on the Godly institution of marriage.
Historically, the definition of marriage has rested on a bed-rock of tradition, legal precedent, theology and the overwhelming support of the people. For these reasons I work to build up and support marriage only between one man and one women.
~keith
Apparently the truth about the real impact of discrimination on real people was more than you can bear.
Clearly, your position is so weak that you need the protection of censorship, although I have said nothing but the truth.
I think the time will come when you feel deep shame over taking this action. You want to limit not only marriage, but also civil discourse -- how very totalitarian of you.
I generally have great respect for people of sincere faith. You've lost mine.
Good bye.
I understand the importance of strengthening marriage and family (my wife of 12 years and our two kids are #1 in my life), and I come from a religious background.
But Prop 8 is not about my family, or your family, it’s about families that you and I will most likely never meet, like Richard’s:
Just for the record, here in a northern California county, on January 27th, my beloved husband died. We were registered Domestic Partners with the Secretary of State. Had been since 2001. But Domestic Partners really is 2nd class - no it really is no class here.
He died at home so the Deputy Sheriff acted as Coroner. He refused to recognize me as next of kin. He insisted we call a blood relative in New York State to choose a funeral home etc. He wanted to remove all of my beloved’s possesions from our home and ship them back East … including his wedding ring. It was a Sunday night so I could not get the County judge or attorney to set things right (as I did on Monday) I had to lie and weasle to keep our stuff in our home. Because I did not count at all. Our family did not count. We were 2nd class - no class. Because we were not married.
Don’t tell me that Domestic Partnership is just as good as marriage. And don’t tell me that I was not married in my heart AND in my church to my husband. The Court just recognized what is a fact … he and I were married … and it is a civil right.
You have no idea how much it hurt … still hurts … that in 2008, in California, my family was ignored when I needed it to be recognized the most.
This is a political issue, not a moral one. Religious freedom is very well-protected in our country and nothing about Prop 8 either enhances or threatens that freedom.
Richard pays taxes just like you and me, but couldn’t get a marriage license. As a matter of fairness and equality before the law, that kind of discrimination is just plain unAmerican.
It saddens me that so many in the church leadership are leading the members to believe that Prop 8 is about defending straight rights and straight marriages. Frankly speaking, nothing could be further from the truth.
Hello Chino Blanco
There seems to be a lot of false truths on both sides of this issue, but here is my point once again.
I'm against same-sex MARRIAGES and the message which that sends to our children. You can have your same-sex unions and partnerships; just don't cheapens the institution of marriage between one man and one women.
As I understand it, Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits from gay or lesbian domestic partners. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits” as married spouses. (Family Code §297.5.) There are no exceptions to this. Proposition 8 will not change this. Nor would I want it to.
I’m also for Proposition 8 (YES) to help protects our children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I would hope that any rational adult would understand that on the on a bed-rock of tradition, legal precedent, theology and the overwhelming support of the people.
~keith
Let me (since this is after all my blog) even further clarify my own personal position on Marriage. One which many before me have adopted, and one which I hope those of today and tomorrow will continue to boldly proclaim.
Marriage is between one man and one woman and one God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
But with that said, I would never impose those beliefs on others. I make them know where ever I can and let others decide for themselves. Marlene, my wonderful wife of over forty year puts it best in her poem:
Marriage of Three
Not so very long ago
you stood before the Lord
and pledged your solemn marriage vows to live in one accord
What once was two becomes now one
Inseparable for life
To grow in love more every day
and cleave in times of strife
Ecstatically your lives begin
awash in golden beams
So in love it's hard to see
real life beyond the dreams
As time goes by the vale will fall
The truth shall be revealed
Then will the vows pledged on that day
remain as tightly sealed
Do not leave God at the church
He's waiting there for you
Invite him to the marriage
when the ceremony's through
Marlene Wawrzyniak
I'm with you sweetie, marriage is between one MAN and one WOMAN. I'm glad I wasn't involved in this debate earlier, because as you know, I am like a pit bull and this post would have gone on forever.
You said it all and I could not agree more.
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