Image via WikipediaI am frequently asked how the legalization of same-sex marriage will have any impact on our culture. It's a good question, and this week I want to share just two recent examples of what we must expect as the effort to redefine marriage relentlessly continues.Last month, the U.S. Olympic Committee named Peter Vidmar, a former gold medalist in men's gymnastics, as its "chief of mission" for the 2012 London Olympics. In this honored position, Vidmar would interact with other countries and the International Olympic Committee to ensure that our country's participation would come off without a hitch.
But almost immediately he came under public attack by proponents of same-sex marriage, who called his selection "disgraceful." What was this gold medal recipient's offense? It turns out that, acting upon his religious convictions about marriage, Vidmar donated money to the proponents of California's 2008 marriage amendment, Prop. 8, which restored the traditional definition of marriage in that state.
| On this week's CitizenLink Report video, Stuart Shepard talks with Judicial Analyst Bruce Hausknecht about the Olympic controversy and how the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage impacts our religious liberties. Watch our important video update now > |
The Olympics, of course, are about sport, not same-sex marriage. But Vidmar chose to resign from his appointment, citing the needs of the U.S. athletes over his own.
As a successful businessman, motivational speaker, author and journalist, he was probably also concerned about his livelihood. Certainly others have faced devastating harassment for their support of marriage, and Prop. 8 specifically.
Defense of Marriage in the NavyThe Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains recently issued a memo to all Navy chaplains, instructing them that when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal is implemented, they may perform same-sex marriages in chapels on military bases--if they are located in states where same-sex marriage is legal.
There are many problems with this rush to same-sex marriage in the Navy, but the Defense of Marriage Act is a big one. Passed overwhelmingly by Congress in 1996, the law defines marriage for all federal purposes as between one man and one woman. For every federal law, regulation, ruling, and yes, even Navy memos, marriage can only mean one thing--the union of a man and a woman.
The public reaction was swift and effective--not only did pro-marriage Americans make their voices heard, but congressional leaders protested. And because of those protests, the Navy has already retracted its memo. This about-face is yet another example that raising our voices in support of the family values we hold dear really does make a difference.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us as we continue to protect and support marriage and religious liberties--and keep you informed about how you can pray for our nation and its leaders.
Defense of Marriage in the NavyThe Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains recently issued a memo to all Navy chaplains, instructing them that when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal is implemented, they may perform same-sex marriages in chapels on military bases--if they are located in states where same-sex marriage is legal.
There are many problems with this rush to same-sex marriage in the Navy, but the Defense of Marriage Act is a big one. Passed overwhelmingly by Congress in 1996, the law defines marriage for all federal purposes as between one man and one woman. For every federal law, regulation, ruling, and yes, even Navy memos, marriage can only mean one thing--the union of a man and a woman.
The public reaction was swift and effective--not only did pro-marriage Americans make their voices heard, but congressional leaders protested. And because of those protests, the Navy has already retracted its memo. This about-face is yet another example that raising our voices in support of the family values we hold dear really does make a difference.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us as we continue to protect and support marriage and religious liberties--and keep you informed about how you can pray for our nation and its leaders.
