Dobson: No Reason for Celebration on 'Dark Day' for Traditional Families

by Jody Brown and Bill Fancher
May 18, 2004

(AgapePress) - A prominent pro-family leader says the legalization of homosexual "marriage" in Massachusetts is not the first example of judicial activists forcing a liberal agenda on the American people, but it may be the most destructive. And a contingent of African-American pastors made it clear on Monday that they don't feel same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue but, in fact, is against the will of God.

"By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you fully and legally married," the pastor said. There was nothing unusual about that statement made on Monday by Rev. William Sinkford, the president of the Unitarian Universalists -- except that instead of addressing a bride and groom, he faced a bride and bride.

Hillary and Julie Goodridge, lead plaintiffs in the legal challenge that led to a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling last fall ordering the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, were among the first of hundreds of homosexual couples who were "wed" in the Bay State yesterday.

According to news reports, the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" melody included some new stanzas for the Goodridge wedding: "Here come the brides, all gay with pride / Isn't it wondrous, they somehow survived" -- and "Long may you be, legally free / Finally hitched by a four-three decree."

Despite the festive nature prevalent at many city halls around Massachusetts, Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family says there is really very little to celebrate. He says May 17, 2004, will be a day Americans will long remember -- and not fondly.

"We will look back 20, 30, 50 years from now and recall this as the day marriage ceased to have any real meaning in our country," Dobson says in a press statement. "The documents being issued all across Massachusetts may say 'marriage license' at the top -- but they are really death certificates for the institution of marriage as it has served society for thousands of years."

The Focus on the Family founder says the judicial decision that brought about legalization of same-sex unions in Massachusetts was fueled by a politically correct agenda that had regard for neither the rule of law nor the historical evidence showing heterosexual marriage as the cornerstone of civilized society.

"This is not the first time a tyrannical court ... has force-fed the people a liberal agenda disguised as the rule of law," Dobson points out. "But it may be the most devastating example of that kind of judicial activism. What makes this a truly dark day is that gay marriage in only the beginning."

Dobson contends that saying there is a constitutional guarantee to homosexual marriage is but "a few steps away" from guaranteeing marriage rights to polygamists, relatives, "or even for people to marry their pets."

But Dobson admits there may be a silver lining to this dark cloud. Homosexual marriage, he says, has heretofore been a hypothetical issue to many people -- but that is no longer the case.

"There is no denying that our values are under assault. There's no more time for thinking about whether to join the fight -- we are in it," he says. "It has been brought to us."

Now, he says, perhaps millions of Americans might finally be ready to say "enough is enough" -- and join the fight for a Federal Marriage Amendment protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Such an amendment, the pro-family spokesman says, is "our last, best chance to preserve marriage for future generations."

Choosing God's Word Over Political Gain
Meanwhile, the claim by homosexuals that their campaign for legalized same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue has angered a group of conservative black pastors. Those pastors gathered in Washington on Monday as the country's first legal homosexual marriages were performed in Massachusetts.

A group of 50 African-American pastors expressed their anger in a press conference held in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. Bishop Paul Morton of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship of New Orleans, speaking for the group, chastised homosexual activists.

"This is not a civil right issue. You insult African Americans when you say this is a civil rights issue because -- and I want you to understand this -- I can't change the color of my skin, but you could change your lifestyle," he said. "It does not matter who you are."

Morton explained that the group of pastors is upset with members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have supported homosexual marriage rights. The Caucus, he said, should be careful what it does when it comes to choosing between homosexual-rights advocates and members of African-American churches.

"You come to our churches for votes. You don't go to them," he said, addressing Caucus members. "We're facing a critical time in our life where you are asking the black African-American preacher to compromise what he believes as it relates to God."

Bishop Morton said black preachers will choose the Word of God over any political gain. "There's the gay community on one side who's saying 'We want same-sex marriages,' he said, "but here's God's church on the other side saying 'We cannot have it because it is against the will of God.' And the will of God is the Word of God."

He also delivered a reminder to members of the Congressional Black Caucus. "We're here today as African Americans [and] ministers [reminding the] Black Caucus: we have been there for you. We're asking now that you will be there for us."