Church Leaders Speak Out
About Same-Sex Marriage

Dear Supporter of the Family,

An important document outlining the serious repercussions to society and religious institutions where same-sex marriage is legalized was just released in the U.S.  The document, which was  signed by religious leaders from a number of faiths (Evangelical Christian, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon and more), clearly outlines the profound negative impact legalizing same-sex marriage can have on society and religious freedom.

This document, “Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together,” points out the array of benefits to society (called “social goods”) that emanate from man/woman marriage.  The signers of the letter argue that marriage must be protected in its own right if society is to continue to benefit from these numerous social goods.

They also note that because most religions also support man/woman marriage as a matter of doctrine, radically changing the legal definition of marriage to allow same-sex individuals to “marry” is not only a direct assault on their doctrines, but it can hurt individuals and churches in other ways as well.

However, the most serious problem identified in the letter is the inevitable “forcing or pressuring both individuals and religious organizations—throughout their operations, well beyond religious ceremonies—to treat same-sex sexual conduct as the moral equivalent of marital sexual conduct.”  

The letter further explains that legally redefining marriage actually changes hundreds of laws that reference marriage, not just one.  This in turn affects a broad range of church activities and projects such as church-run schools and universities, nursing homes and other housing facilities, hospitals, and adoption and counseling services, among others. These are not theoretical concerns.  The letter lists concrete examples of conflicts between religious liberty and sexual rights that have already occurred in states in the U.S. that have legalized homosexual marriage.

The “social goods” argument applies not only to man/woman marriage, but to other areas as well.

Dr. Patrick Fagan, a good friend and colleague of mine, is doing some of the best research on the social goods that flow to society from religious observance.  Below is an excellent summary of these research findings:

• Of particular note are the studies that indicate the benefits of Religion to the poor.  Regular attendance at religious services is linked to healthy, stable family life, strong marriages, and well-behaved children.
  
  
• The practice of Religion also leads to a reduction in the incidence of domestic abuse, crime, substance abuse, and addiction.
  
  
• In addition, religious practice leads to an increase in physical and mental health, longevity, and education attainment.
  
  
• Moreover, these effects are intergenerational, as grandparents and parents pass on the benefits to the next generations.

Family Watch takes positions on social issues on the basis of social science research, legal and historical scholarship, and just plain common sense.  This is why we are passing on this letter.  Although it was released by religious leaders, the evidence it provides is grounded in facts, sound data and research, which makes it a useful blueprint for defenders of the family wherever they might live and regardless of their faith.

I encourage you to take the time to read it.

Sincerely,

Sharon Slater
President

News Items of Interest

Abortion

Morocco’s Prime Minister to Change Abortion Law.  Shortly following a victory in Morocco’s elections, Abdelilah Benkirane is pledging to support an initiative that would allow abortion in cases of rape and incest.  Currently, Moroccan law allows abortion to save the life of the mother or to preserve her physical or mental health.  Read more here.

Homosexuality Related

Gay Straight Alliances Growing in Lower Grades.  The clubs are common in high schools throughout the U.S., but now chapters are springing up more often in middle schools.  According to the national Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), there are now 500 middle school Gay Straight Alliance chapters nationwide.  Read more here.

Report Explains Why Sexual Orientation Not Fixed and Immutable.  A new report by the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) explores the genetic foundations of behavior and how explanations can often be misleading when dealing with sexual orientation.  Read more here.

Campaign to Suppress Book on Treating Homosexuality Backfires in Spain.  Homosexual activists in Spain protested the publishing of Understanding and Healing Homosexuality by therapist Richard Cohen, but the protests have generated media coverage, and the publisher has been overwhelmed by requests for the book.  Read more here.

Homosexual Activists File Complaint in Malaysia.  Organizers of a “Sexual Independence” festival held annually petitioned the High Court in an attempt to overturn a ban imposed by police last year.  Police ordered the ban after complaints from Muslim organizations that the festival would be a disruption of the public peace.  Read more here.

Marriage Related

Judge Rules Christian Facility Banning Same-sex Civil Union Ceremony Violates Law.  A lesbian couple filed a complaint against the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which refused to allow the couple to use its facility for their ceremony.  The judge ruled that the organization violated its promise to keep the property open to the public.  The association is associated with the Methodist Church. Read more here.

Same-sex Marriage to be Considered in New Jersey.  Democrat members of the Assembly have pledged to address “social equality.”  Same-sex civil unions are legal in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie has said he supports existing civil union laws but is opposed to same-sex marriage.  Read more here.

Cuba to Consider Legalizing Civil Unions.  Prominent homosexual-rights activist Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro, says Cuban lawmakers will consider a preliminary proposal to modify the country’s Family Code.  The Cuban government once banned “Gay Pride” events, but is now leading “anti-homophobia” campaigns and paying for sex reassignment surgery for transgenders.  Read more here.

Study Finds Divorce Can Raise Risk of Early Death.  A University of Arizona review of 30 published studies found that the risk of dying early was 23 percent greater among divorced adults than married individuals.  Other risks associated with divorce included heavy drinking, smoking, and weight issues.  Read more here.

Canada to Close Loophole in Foreign Same-sex Marriages.  Current law allows same-sex couples to marry in Canada, but if same-sex marriage is not legal in their home countries, couples are not able to dissolve their marriages.  The Civil Marriage Act will be changed so that any marriage not recognized in a couple’s home country will be recognized in Canada.  Read more here.

Pope Says Same-sex Marriage a Threat to Traditional Family.  In a New Year address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican, Pope Benedict stated that homosexual marriage undermined “the future of humanity itself.”  The Vatican and Catholic officials around the world have come out against moves to legalize same-sex marriage in Europe and other developed parts of the world.  Read more here.

News Items of General Interest

UNICEF, UNFPA: Millions of Dollars Unaccounted For.  The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute reports that an independent audit of five UN agencies found billions of dollars in unspent cash.  In the case of  UNFPA, there was $200 million a year that the organization was unable or unwilling to account for.  Read more here.

Report Calls for New National Sex-Ed Standards.  The “National Sexuality Education Standards” calls for a host of controversial recommendations for comprehensive sexuality education in U.S. public schools.  Planned Parenthood and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) participated in the development of the report, which calls for teaching young children about sexual orientation and gender identity.  Read more here.

Sexually Abusive Behavior in Children Blamed on Pornography.  The number of minor children in Australia being treated for sexual behavior problems including child-on-child sexual abuse is skyrocketing.  Experts are citing increased availability of pornography on the Internet and on portable devices such as cell phones as a reason for the rise.   Read more here.

U.S. Youth Population in Decline.  According to Census data, the number of youth is shrinking for the first time in a generation.  The bad economy and reduced immigration numbers are cited as the cause for the decline.  Read more here.

 

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