Posted on 05/18/2004 5:18:43 AM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - The same-sex marriages taking place in Massachusetts can happen in other states, too - even states that bar homosexual "marriage," some lawmakers and conservative groups are warning their constituents.
"Many North Carolinians are under the impression that what's happening in Massachusetts has no relevance to them because North Carolina passed legislation prohibiting homosexual marriage," said Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) in a press release issued Monday. "Unfortunately, this couldn't be farther from the truth," Jones said.
Jones said liberal activists have made it clear they will use the Massachusetts court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage to "overthrow" the North Carolina Defense of Marriage Act, and to "force gay and lesbian marriage on our state."
In a press release, Jones noted that the activists' game plan is simple -- requiring one same-sex couple to get married in Massachusetts - then come to N.C. and sue to have the marriage recognized there.
"All it takes is one liberal judge to rule in their favor, and our state will be forced to allow gay marriage," Jones warned.
Jones said the only way to prevent such a scenario is to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution protecting each state's right to define marriage as being the union of one man and one woman only.
Jones, an original co-sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment, is among the 118 House Members who support the amendment. But more co-sponsors are needed, he said, and only public pressure will generate that additional support.
"If we fail to act, the will of the people may again be tossed aside by a non-elected judge who places his personal ideology and politics before the law."
'Churches will be muted'
Lawmakers who support the Federal Marriage Amendment were holding a press conference Tuesday morning to rally support for the amendment.
"Regardless of whether a Defense of Marriage Act is on the books, marriage can no longer be protected at the state level against activist judges," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, which is organizing Tuesday's press conference.
Perkins said it's just a matter of days until the "natural and legal definition of marriage will be attacked through lawsuits filed by homosexual couples seeking recognition for their Massachusetts' 'marriages' in every other state in the union."
Perkins, in a press release, warned that this fight goes well beyond marriage rights.
"If we do not immediately pass a Constitutional Amendment protecting marriage, we will not only lose the institution of marriage in our nation, but eventually all critics of the homosexual lifestyle will be silenced," Perkins said.
"Churches will be muted, schools will be forced to promote homosexuality as a consequence-free alternative lifestyle, and our nation will find itself embroiled in a cultural, legal, and moral quagmire," he said.
Dr. James Dobson, chairman of Focus on the Family, agreed that "gay marriage is only the beginning" of the effort to disguise a liberal agenda as the rule of law.
"Saying there's a constitutional guarantee for two homosexuals to marry is just a few steps away from saying there's a constitutional guarantee to marry more than one person, or for relatives to marry, or even for people to marry their pets," Dobson said in a press release.
However, Dobson does see a silver lining in Monday's events: "Millions of Americans might finally be ready to say, 'Enough is enough,'" he said.
Dobson called passage of a Federal Marriage Amendment "our last, best chance to preserve marriage for future generations."
Wait til it does my friend. Follow the money. Sooner or later it will lead to your pocket.
There is no such thing as marriage between anything except a male and a female. People are married because of promises made to and before God.
Government involvement is just force being used to favor certain arrangements. And you won't be getting them out of it any time soon, so hang on to your wallet.
They'll have to jail me, I guess!
Deacon Francis
LOL...I have a prison ministry, so I'm sort of use to the bars.
bumping for later
Thanks, but how does that expound on what we already know in this thread?
Typical and understandable response for a libertarian. Because YOU see no harm in this, you declare it moot. But others DO see GREAT harm to social structure because of this.
Well, I think you know I'm referring to direct harm. By your reasoning, there's not a single person in America I couldn't rationalize is harming me in some way.
Hard to tell what that means.
By your reasoning, there's not a single person in America I couldn't rationalize is harming me in some way.
Nonsense.
Pathetic comment. Do you have anything to add or just commenting to bring your agenda to light?
I would like to come out against gay marriage, but I have not heard a convincing argument yet.....other than the moral/biblical questions. There are millions of secular people out there that know it's a bad idea, and are waiting for someone to convincingly articulate why.
Many of my wife's friends are gay. With one exception (this guy totally fits the "gay" stereotype), they seem pretty well-adjusted, hard-working, intelligent people. They're mostly liberal, but that's not a crime. Reasonable men can disagree.
I'm not sure how much more damage can be done to marriage, that hasn't already been done by "quickie, no-fault" divorce laws. I feel that it's hard to take the high ground when spouses are already looked at as disposable.
And, speaking for my own marriage, it's rock-solid. Gay marriage won't affect it in the least.
Did you read the second sentence or were you too pissed off to do that. I have no agenda. But unlike a libertarian, I see a need for limits on indivduals within social structures.
Moral behavior is everything because every action we take has moral implications.
If Caligula came back from the grave, I think he would have a good chance of getting elected President in America today.
We have totally lost our moral compass as a nation.
I agree with you. However, is it up to the government to legislate morality?
You are %100 correct. And it all started with the mainstream acceptance of birth control IMHO.
Under certain conditions...you bet. That's what laws are all about. When given the opportunity to lie, man will. There are some who may not see this same-sex marriage as an issue that can hurt social structures. I personally do and feel that laws are necessary for the protection of society.
The next sentence belies that.
But unlike a libertarian, I see a need for limits on indivduals within social structures.
Not only an agenda, but a cryptic message too! LOL
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