Bush, Pro-Family Conservatives Re-Emphasize Need for Marriage Amendment

by Allie Martin and Jody Brown
May 18, 2004

(AgapePress) - Conservative and Christian activists are saying the legalization of homosexual "marriage" in Massachusetts demonstrates the urgent need for a Federal Marriage Amendment that would protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

In a statement released on Monday -- as homosexual couples were lining up outside city halls in the Bay State to file their applications for marriage licenses -- President George W. Bush reiterated his call for a Federal Marriage Amendment:

"The sacred institution of marriage should not be defined by a few activists judges," the statement read. "All Americans have a right to be heard in this debate. I called on the Congress to pass, and to send to the states for ratification, an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. The need for that amendment is still urgent, and I repeat that call today."

White House spokesman Scott McClellan says the Administration has been "in close contact" with members of Congress in an attempt to get the measure passed and sent to the states for ratification. A recent poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide indicates that two-thirds of Americans (57 percent "strongly favor" and another 10 percent "somewhat favor") support wording of an amendment that would protect the traditional definition of marriage.

Moral Degradation of America
Vision America founder Dr. Rick Scarborough says despite the fact that a majority of Americans are opposed to homosexual marriage and want to see a Federal Marriage Amendment, activist judges -- like the four on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court whose ruling brought on the crisis in that state -- continue to force their will on the people. He says that is why believers need to take action.

"Christians need to be praying for God's mercy -- and then getting off their knees and writing their congressmen, calling everybody that they have any influence over, and rallying believers to reverse this ungodly decision," Scarborough says. "This is not a cultural shift; this is a straight-out assault by four judges who are trying to shape the morality of a whole nation."

Scarborough says the nation has turned a "dark corner" with the legalization of same-sex unions, but that Christians still have an opportunity to turn the tide.

"Gays have quietly, methodically, and persistently pressed this issue until they found willing ears and itching audience in our courts," he says. "Now, with the same persistence for righteousness and for God's law and truth, Christians are going to have to press the issue from the other side."

The sacred institution of marriage, he says, must be placed beyond the reach of an "arrogant, activist judiciary."

Gary Bauer

American Values founder Gary Bauer says the "marriages" taking place in Massachusetts are "a cultural and moral disaster" for America. Like Scarborough, Bauer points his finger at activist judges.

"A radical political agenda is being forced on the American people by un-elected, left-wing judges who are intent on remaking our country," he says, adding there is only one way now to head off the homosexual juggernaut.

"As of now there is only one viable remedy to end this cultural chaos: the marriage amendment to the Constitution supported by [President Bush] and by virtually every pro-family organization in the country," he says.

Both the U.S. House and Senate are currently considering legislation that, if passed and signed by the president, would send the amendment to the states for ratification. The legislatures of 38 states would have to approve the amendment for it to be enacted.