URGENT UPDATE
With the Supreme Court’s decision, your gift to protect family and freedom is more crucial now than ever!
BREAKING NEWS – the U.S. Supreme Court has made its decision regarding marriage.
In a 5-4 decision, a misguided majority of the Court says that same-sex marriage is somehow now a fundamental “right.”
What will happen as a result of this ruling makes your support today, more important than ever.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED:
Earlier today, in a 103 page legal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is now a “right.” Two homosexuals will now be afforded the same benefits of a marriage, and this in turn opens the floodgates for attacks on religious liberty for those who disagree.
Today’s redefinition of marriage by the U.S. Supreme Court not only affects the institution of marriage and states’ rights, it also represents a frontal assault on religious liberty and free speech. When a new right is created out of thin air then the question soon arises: What happens when that new right conflicts with other rights, like right to free speech, freedom of religion and freedom of association?
Core First Amendment rights that Americans for centuries have bled and died for are being trampled. Our morally declining society, together with judicial activism in our courts, is opening the flood gates for legal attacks and discrimination against U.S. citizens who hold those rights dear.
WHO IS AFFECTED:
Courthouses and its employees, pastors and churches, faith-based non-profit organizations, business owners and employees with deeply held religious convictions and values… and this is just the beginning.
Courthouses and their employees across the nation will immediately prepare for the changes, with those employees being forced to facilitate same-sex marriages or potentially lose their job – even if this violates the conscience or religious convictions of those courthouse employees.
Pastors and churches will be the most vulnerable as questions will begin to emerge as to whether or not their churches are considered a public accommodation and therefore subject to being regulated by employment and housing policies.
Parents will have no say in what their children are taught about marriage in public schools–with no notice and no opt-out option.
Faith-based non-profit and relief organizations will be vulnerable. Even the Solicitor General of the U.S. Supreme Court said in his oral argument before the court admitted that religious non-profits would “have an issue” if homosexual marriage becomes a fundamental right.
Businesses will be vulnerable. Declining from performing wedding related services for homosexual couples becomes “discrimination” as so-called “non-discrimination ordinances” ramp up to effectively punish those who disagree with same-sex marriage. Those who hold religious convictions which had been protected just yesterday, now become targets for lawful religious persecution under deceptively called “non-discrimination” ordinances or laws.
Religious liberty is the cornerstone of our culture and protecting it right here in Florida is now a top priority.
Will you stand with us and protect religious liberty with a gift today?
THE BACKGROUND:
Today the highest court of this land ignored the rule of law and the will of the people in over 38 states. Though countless millions of U.S. voters have defined marriage as between a man and a woman through legitimate democratic process, five judges in one decision today have disenfranchised them.
While various lawsuits were being filed throughout the country in recent years by same-sex couples, rather than LEAD by example, uphold current laws and follow the Constitution, the Supreme Court chose to FOLLOW lower court justices down the path of judicial activism.
Sadly, the court deliberately ignored the plain meaning and legal history behind the Constitution, foolishly disregarded what is self-evident in biology, logic and the collective wisdom of human history.
MY OPINION:
The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court today was an illegitimate act of raw judicial power, judicial activism and arrogance.
In dissent of the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “But for those who believe in a government of laws, not of men, the majority’s approach is deeply disheartening.” … “The majority’s decision is an act of will, not legal judgement. The right it announces has no basis in the Constitution or this Court’s precedent.”
Dissenting, Justice Scalia wrote, “The opinion is couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic.” And, “The stuff contained in today’s opinion has to diminish this Court’s reputation for clear thinking and sober analysis.”
Addressing the decision today and the future impact, Justice Alito writes, “Today’s decision usurps the constitutional right of the people to decide whether to keep or alter the traditional understanding of marriage. The decision will also have other important consequences.”
The bottom line, is that the decision by the majority is extremely disappointing, but we are called to be faithful and stand for what is right, regardless of the circumstance.
ANOTHER HISTORIC MISTAKE:
Regardless of how it appears, today’s decision is not the final word on marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court has been wrong before, as in the case of Dred Scott when the court attempted to declare that black people were not persons.
The Court was also wrong in Roe vs. Wade when it effectively declared that unborn children were not persons.
Once again, the Court is wrong today in its attempt to force all 50 states and all U.S. citizens to legally declare that marriage is something other than the union of one man and one woman.
Marriage, and the children and families created by them, are not merely a legal or political constructs. These institutions help define the human experience and are necessary to the building of a civilization governed by ordered liberty.
While the majority of five justices were in favor of same-sex marriage, the four dissenting justices felt so strongly against the issue that they each went on the record writing their own dissenting opinion.
I will be providing a comprehensive in-depth analysis of the decision, and the specific direct and indirect repercussions we can expect here in Florida as a result of it. Please watch for this important email from me early next week.
WHAT WE DO NOW:
What do we do now? We double down on our efforts to rebuild a culture of marriage, we educate Floridians and protect our religious liberty through the legislative process, and we educate Florida voters where candidates stand on the issue of religious liberty for the benefit of future laws. We will never concede and we will never give up.
Whether it takes decades or generations, we will rebuild a culture of marriage. Basic social order in society depends on the thriving of marriage and family structures. It may even get worse in the short-term before it gets better, but in order for this civil society to continue and to thrive, it must value marriage of one man and one woman.
Stand strong in defense of marriage and religious freedom with your online gift now.
Americans of faith, yes, that means you, me, our families, friends, and fellow church members must brace ourselves and prepare for the inevitable: The further attack of our once precious, constitutionally guaranteed religious liberty and our fight to maintain it.
As sexual freedom increasingly trumps religious freedom, you and I and everyone who believes in God’s definition of marriage must expect to be targeted.
Those who oppose our biblical view of marriage will now try to silence us on this and other matters of religious conscience.
It’s already beginning. That’s why we need your help now.
This ruling isn’t a surprise. With the attacks of religious liberty on the rise, your Florida Family Policy Council staff and board of directors have been praying and hoping for the best, but realized the need to be prepared for the worst.
We have already met for an extensive and comprehensive 2 ½ day strategy session, brainstorming, examining our organization’s strengths and weaknesses, discussing strategy and opportunities, getting counsel from authorities on strengthening marriage and on how to reach the next generation. And out of this intense prayerful work and planning retreat, came a comprehensive strategy and campaign to rebuild a culture of marriage in Florida and beyond which we will be announcing soon. Right now, we are in the process of securing the funding needed to launch the campaign. We must consider the cost and launch the aspects of the campaign we have funding for. Our initial goal is $200,000 for the first two years of the campaign.
Homosexual rights activists love to accuse marriage advocates of being “on the wrong side of history.”
However, the reality of what marriage is, will never be on the wrong side of history.
The little boy in the inner city who longs to have a father in his life– that longing, will never be on the wrong side of history.
The little girl with two dads who wishes she had a mother to help her understand the changes in her body – that wish, will never be in the wrong side of history.
The unique and complimentary design and beauty of a man and a woman’s body will never be on the wrong side of history.
The teachings and books of every major world religion will never be on the wrong side of history.
Natural marriage celebrates true diversity and gender inclusivity when the two great parts of humanity come together and life springs forth and the next generation is born.
These truths will never be on the wrong side of history.
And that’s why I’m asking you to once again stand with Florida Family Policy Council, our staff, volunteers and network of churches statewide with a gift today.
When you give, you’ll be investing – directly in rebuilding our culture, protecting our religious liberty, and in the next generation – in the most fundamental fight for rights since Roe vs. Wade. After Roe vs. Wade, we fought for life. Now we fight for the right to live our lives, according to our faith and deeply held religious convictions.
This is the same liberty which even our Founding Fathers thought was so important that they sought to protect this liberty for all time.
Will you stand with Americans of faith all across Florida and this great nation for a future where your children and grandchildren are free to live their lives and run their businesses according to their faith?
I pray your answer will be an enthusiastic “Yes!”
Sincerely,
John Stemberger President, Florida Family Policy Council
PS: THANK YOU for your time to read this important email, for your prayers, and for your gift of support today.
May I ask you for one more thing? Once you have made your gift or mailed it in, would you please forward this email using the forwarding and sharing tools above to your friends and family who share our values and treasure religious freedom as we do?
Gifts can be made safely and securely HERE or mailed to:
Florida Family Policy Council, 4853 S. Orange Ave, Ste.C, Orlando, FL 32806
Thanks so much, once again!