[This was sent on Friday, June 21 to our email subscribers. Sign up here if you’d like to receive future updates.]
Dear friend,
America stands at another crossroad in her history.
Next week, likely on Monday but possibly Thursday, the United States Supreme Court will hand down landmark decisions on whether or not citizens of this country can define marriage as the union of one man and one woman through the legitimate legislative and state constitutional amendment process.
There are two cases, both on appeal at the same time. The first case is Hollingsworth v. Perry – which is a challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which defined marriage as one man and one woman in their state constitution. California passed this on the same day that Florida passed Amendment 2, which also defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman in our state constitution. The second case is U.S. v Windsor – which is a challenge of the federal “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) passed by congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton, which defines marriage in all areas of federal law.
The primary legal question that will be answered is: Does a law that defines marriage to be only between a man and a woman deny homosexual couples the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee of “Equal Protection of the Law?” Frankly, it would take a raw act of judicial activism to find an affirmative answer to such a question requiring the creation of new rights out of thin air. We all have opinions on how far the court might go but no one knows how the court will rule for sure.
As a nation, we are at a critical point in history, very similar in magnitude to the weekend before the Roe v Wade decision was announced, which declared that an unfettered right to abortion was somehow constitutional.
The Florida Family Policy Council has been both a state and national leader in what we believe is the greatest struggle of our time– defining and preserving the institutions of marriage and family. We are involved with providing strategy and advice to coalitions and leaders on this issue around the country and your support has made this influence possible.
As we approach this sober moment in history we would like to ask you to consider doing two things.
First, pray.
Pray for God to have mercy on our nation.
Pray for the strength and fidelity of marriage relationships across America.
Pray for the wisdom and courage of the Supreme Court.
Pray for the FFPC and other pro-family leaders around the country as we fight this battle.
Pray for our enemies and those who oppose us.
Second, take time to further educate yourself on this important issue. Read or watch something to understand why this issue is so important to the future of our civilization. Some of the best materials we are aware of are cataloged for your convenience at our website. I have also written a recent opinion editorial article in the Orlando Sentinel as part of a debate on this issue titled “Affirming Gay Marriage Falls on the Wrong Side of History.” This four minute video by a husband and wife from Massachusetts shows some of the shocking effects of homosexual marriages upon public education, which no one ever discusses.
Finally, send this request to other friends and family members.
Please know that no matter how unpopular it becomes, no matter how strong or ugly the opposition becomes, as long as we have breath, we will continue to contend for the institutions that God has created to provide social order and to reflect His Glory in the earth.
Thank you again for standing with us and for your support, prayers and faithfulness.
John Stemberger
President