Churches - Pastors - please speak out!
Published on 24 May 2008 in
MarriageSource:
Protect Marriage .com A Message from the ProtectMarriage.com Executive Committee
The Supreme Court Decision
The Signature Validation Process
Seeking the Court’s ‘Stay’
The Campaign Ahead
The Decision – On May 15th, 2008, by a 4 to 3 vote, the California Supreme Court ruled that the protection of historic, natural marriage was “unconstitutional.” Four members of the Court overruled 4.6 million California voters who, a short eight years ago, reaffirmed in law the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman. As one of the three dissenting justices said, the majority of the court is guilty of “seriously overstepping the judicial power,” resulting in a “cataclysmic transformation” of the institution of marriage “by judicial fiat.”
The Validation Process – Be encouraged! The people of California successfully acted to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2008 ballot! More than 1.1 million signatures have been submitted to the 58 counties for validation, and we expect to receive the formal notice of qualification by mid-June. Without the foresight and passion of the ProtectMarriage.com coalition, the sanctity of marriage in California would have been destroyed, and its effects would have been felt nationwide!
Seeking the Court’s ‘Stay’ –Unless the Supreme Court agrees to “stay” its order until the November election, same-sex marriages will be available in California within 30 days of the Court’s decision. Representing the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund, attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have submitted a “Request for Rehearing” to the Supreme Court of California. To read the summary,
click here.
Neither Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nor Attorney General Jerry Brown have yet offered their support to the people of California by seeking a stay.
Two opportunities for action are also available via phone or petition. We encourage you to make your opinion regarding marriage known to the Governor by calling 916.445.2841 and following the automated prompts. To directly influence the Governor by presenting him with petition signatures,
click here to participate in Family Research Council’s petition.
Should the elected leadership and Supreme Court of California disregard the will of the people (again) by refusing to issue a stay, same-sex marriages will be legal until the vote of the people in November’s general election.
The Campaign Ahead – Strategy, Money, Volunteers, and Media. The plan is taking shape, but success in November depends on continued coalition with organizations, churches and individuals. Already, pastors are contacting
ProtectMarriage.com offering their help in time and influence. Volunteers will be needed in every part of the state for the distribution of Protect
Marriage.com resources and the hosting of events to broaden the reach of the message.
Funding is critically necessary. The qualification effort required million, and financial resources came from more than 10,000 individual gifts. The campaign phase will cost several times that amount, and ProtectMarriage.com will be pursuing funding within California and across the nation due to the potential impact of this issue.
And now, we move forward with anticipation and a workload like never before! We count our blessings for you and for the established coalition, and we ask for your continued financial help.
The Opponents View -
CCNews: You need to know the opponents view and tactics, because we are loosing the War for the Traditional Family and - Biblical view of marriage. Conservatives and Christians, Pastors and Churches need to speak out and not be afraid. If you think you're going to loose your "tax status", hear this -- what's more important: speaking the truth in love, or "offending" others and being intimidated into silence? Please, local churches and pastors in California, "speak out" and teach what the scriptures say. Please -- Don't remain silent!
