Marriage is not a civil
right! Neither the federal nor the state constitutions
confer such a status upon it. Marriage is a privilege
granted and conferred by legislative bodies for specific
reasons, including its impact on society. Special legal
protections and favors have rightly been given to heterosexual,
monogamous marriage because, unlike other kind of human
friendship or relationship, it has been considered to
be uniquely necessary and uniquely beneficial to the perpetuation
and well-being of society.
Though many of our enlightened, progressive
contemporaries have tried to assert otherwise, the facts
are now in: More than 30 years of a grand social experiment
with "alternate" families has irrefutably
demonstrated that the dissolution of traditional two-parent
families has proven harmful to large numbers of children.
"Family diversity"
in the form of increasing numbers of single-parent and
step-parent families has not strengthened the social fabric
but, rather, dramatically weakened and undermined society.
The assumption that a new kind of homosexual "alternative
family" will be an exception to this experience is
totally unfounded.
Recently, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in a
contemptuous and brazen attempt to turn the social order
upside-down, foisted upon city resident a new civil ceremony
for homosexual and lesbian "marriage." This
attempt to institutionalize "alternative relationship"
and to place them on an equal footing with heterosexual
monogamous marriage as a new social norm will do nothing
but further the social disaster that already surrounds
us.
Since its inception, the Christian church has consistently
and without exception strongly opposed all activities
and conduct that destroy human life. History has demonstrated
both the wisdom and the rightness of this position. The
devastation of human life here in San Francisco has only
further proven the catastrophic results of abandoning
the church's stance, and confirmed it to be the only truly
compassionate option for those who genuinely love and
care for their fellow human beings.
Tragically, anyone who would dare to
express concern about the disastrous consequences of
these insidious forms of sexual violence is thereby
labeled a "homophobe" and "bigot,"
and is taunted with cries of "shame! shame!"
And what of the democratic
process? Is not the Board of Supervisors responsible to
give a matter of this gravity careful and thoughtful consideration?
The fact is that less than three minutes of discussion
was given at the committee hearing after which the measure
was passed unanimously without further discussion. Concerned
members of the community were not duly informed. Leaders
in the religious community were customarily ignored and
excluded. Why was there no dialogue with the various communities
the Board of Supervisors has a duty to represent?
Government has a fundamental, compelling
interest in the reproduction of society, the adequate
socialization of the individuals who constitute society
and in seeing that its children are induced toward healthy
and productive lifestyles. The state very legitimately
promotes these fundamental, social objectives - none
of which is furthered by homosexual marriage.
Marriage was never intended
to be a means for making official an economic partnership
or legal social contract. Nor is it the appropriate means
to bring about equality and fairness to a segment of society.
Marriage is the social, legal and spiritual uniting of
two people (one man and one woman with the capacity to
procreate) into "one flesh" in a spiritual act
that God makes a reality. As for those who seek to lovingly
and compassionately care for the basic needs of others,
numerous and very adequate statutory provisions already
exist to accommodate hospital visitation, common title
to property, inheritance, health care, power of attorney
and many other legal necessities.
God has brains! He has very wisely ordered
His creation for everyone's good. Violating this created
order will only produce chaos and ultimately, destruction.
Those who foolishly and arrogantly flaunt or seek to
change God's laws will find that they are engaging in
the exercise of self-destruction. For those who are
willing to face reality there is a much better option
- the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ which
can utterly change and completely fulfill our lives.
This is the message of love, acceptance and hope that
we believe and teach.