On November 6th, Minnesotans will have the opportunity to vote on whether our state constitution should be amended to restrict the definintion of marriage to one man and one wonman.
This amendment would add a 13th section to Article XIII of the MN Constitution. Article XIII is a compilaton of miscellaneous issues ranging from miltia organization to hunting and fishing preservation. If the amendment passes, one more section would be added stating,"Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota." (http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Minnesota_Same-Sex_Marriage_Amendment,_Amendment_1_(2012)
Without this amendment, state judges and legislators have the freedom to redefine marriage and impose personal values without the permission of Minnesota citizens.
Marriage is an institution that should be valued and protected. Here are some of the reasons why I will be voting "Yes" in support of the marriage amendment.
- For the sake of our children
Children fare better when they are raised with a father and a mother. Is a mother unnecessary if a child should have two fathers? Is a father useless if a child has two mothers? Both genders of parents offer such distinctive contributions in the raising of children that society has been deceived when it thinks that same-sex parenting is just as effective as raising children in a heterosexual marriage. The diversity brought by men and women into marriage, parenting, and family life are not able to be interchanged with the care that would be given by two men or two women. Fathers and mothers fulfill differnt needs for children, and both contribute essential building blocks in the various developmental stages of children.
As the focus of marriage shifts from creating a nurturing atmosphere for children to be raised in to being all about what the parents want--whether that be co-habiting, divorce, polygamy, or same-sex marriage--children suffer consequences, both in childhood and adulthood.
Studies conducted with adults who were raised in traditional mother/father families vs. adults who were raised with a parent involved in a same-sex relationship found that those raised in tradtional families reported the lowest levels of troubles, such as drug use, unemployment, and depression. Also 10% of adults from traditional families were currently using public assistance vs. 38% who had a parent in a same-sex realtionship while they were growing up. (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/health/study-examines-effect-of-having-a-gay-parent.html?_r=0)
The Minnesota marriage amendment helps to protect religious organizations, small businesses, and even individuals who hold to the traditional definition of marriage from being legally regarded as bigots and discriminators. There are already examples of religious groups, non-profits, and licensed professionals who have been penalized or forced to close their agencies because they have refused to change their principles to coincide with the redifinition of marriage. (http://www.minnesotaformarriage.com/threat/)
Any of these reasons themselves would be good enough for a "Yes" vote on the amendment, but for me the most important and strongest motivators for promoting traditional marriage are the ones listed below.
God created marriage as a symbol of his relationship with his "bride," those called to be his followers. Marriage is an image of the eternal covenant between Christ and his church. To redefine this sacred institution, to try to re-create it into something that fits the desires and acceptance of society is to scorn the beautiful picture that God has created of his love and sacrifice for his people. (http://www.desiringgod.org/dg/id167.htm)
- God's Word is authoritative
I respect the Bible as the words of God. As a follower of Christ, I realize that attntion to and high regard for what is spoken there is essential in my conviction that God is supreme and sovereign. The Bible is not something that is menat to be interpreted according to physical needs and desires, nor is it meant to be re-formed to fit the acceptance of our culture. The Bible is absolute. When it says that homosexuality is wrong, there is eternal danger in turning away and ignoring this admonition.
I don't deny that homosexual desires are real. Yet, they are not an excuse for the approval and condoning of sin. God allows sinful desires in each person's heart to show us our need for him.
In voting to support the marriage amendment, I am not being hateful to those who defend gay marriage. On the contrary, I see this as an opportunity to love by stating what I believe to be right rather than turning away from or even winking at things that oppose God's Word.
"Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others."
-John Piper
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