Survey Thursday: Uphold Religious Rights Concerning Marriage

In Proverbs chapter 4, we see a passage of Scripture that encourages us to walk in the way of wisdom.  The writer echoes the words of his father:
4 He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

We have to approach the issues of the day with Godly wisdom.  We can immerse ourselves in God's Word and allow it to direct our lives.  The Word of God can shape our thinking, and the Spirit of God can help us take those thoughts and speak the right words, with the right tone, at the right time, in order to make a solid impact for Christ.  We are truly living in a society that calls evil good and good evil, and it's a challenging atmosphere in which to be a Christian.  But, just like the prophets of old, we have been sent to this place at this time with a specific purpose.  So, we speak and act in accordance with God's ways.

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God has a special place in His heart for the family. In Psalm 68, we read:
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Even though a recent poll indicates that over 4-in-10 Americans believe that same-sex marriage should be legal in America, there is a majority that believes that business people should have the right to object to being involved in a same-sex ceremony based on their religious faith.

The Daily Signal reported on the Associated Press-GFK poll, in which 44 percent of Americans favor legalizing same-sex marriage, 39 percent oppose it, and 15 percent neither favor nor oppose same-sex marriage.

But 57 percent of Americans believe that in states where same-sex marriage is legal, business owners—such as florists and bakers—who believe providing wedding services to such a union violates their conscience, should be allowed to refuse service.  Some 39 percent say they shouldn’t be allowed to refuse service, and 4 percent refused to answer.

Ryan Anderson, the William E. Simon Fellow in religion and a free society at The Heritage Foundation, said Americans believe sexual liberty and religious liberty should coexist.

He is quoted as saying, “This poll confirms that ordinary Americans—both those in favor of gay marriage and those who oppose gay marriage—agree the government should not penalize those who hold the historic view of marriage.”

Greg Scott, Vice-President of the Alliance Defending Freedom, released this statement on behalf of ADF, and it is quoted in a piece on the Los Angeles Times website: "Every American, from the founding of our nation, has been guaranteed the freedom to live and work faithfully...The poll demonstrates that most Americans still cherish our fundamental freedoms – free speech and freedom of religion."

He added, "The core issue is whether it is lawful to force Americans to choose between conforming their beliefs, speech and actions at the government’s command and facing harsh punishment for resisting compelled conformity."

There are lawmakers in Washington that are attempting to limit the forceful hand of the federal goverment in setting marriage policy.   As Alabama Republican Party chairman Bill Armistead writes on the party's website:

Thankfully, both Senators Shelby and Sessions have joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to co-sponsor and reintroduce the State Marriage Defense Act.  If passed, states will be allowed to adopt their own definitions of marriage without worry of intrusion by the federal government.

The piece is excellent, and includes these sobering words:

So, how is it that God’s truth can be turned on its head as the debate now rages in Alabama regarding the meaning of marriage? The answer is that we, as a society, have become our own god. We have made God in our image. But, God will not be mocked. The State of Alabama and the United States of America will reap God’s wrath if we embrace and condone things that are abhorrent to God, such as redefining marriage as anything other than a union between one man and one woman.

Armistead, while serving in the Alabama Senate, sponsored the Alabama Marriage Protection Act, which defined marriage as "a sacred covenant, solemnized between a man and a woman."

He concludes by saying:

God’s word never changes, and neither should our defense of His truths. Though we are being tested, we will stand true to our principles and fight for the rights of the states. I thank those elected officials who are standing with us to defend those truths we hold on high.

The attempt to redefine marriage has been relentless in the media and entertainment industry; so has the attempt to portray men and women who stand on faith principles as somehow being backward or on the wrong side of history. I am weary of the "schoolhouse door" analogies, or references to the actions of former Governor George Wallace in defending segregation, a position he later renounced, a position that really had no basis in Scripture.  Chief Justice Roy Moore is standing in solidarity with the Word of God and thousands of years of civilizations in defending traditional marriage.  He is acting in what he sees as his authoritative role to uphold the Alabama Constitution and to acknowledge God's principles.

We continue face the forced acceptance of gay marriage, and this new poll shows that less than half of Americans support it.   It also shows that a majority does not believe that businesspeople should have to buy in to the agenda based on their religious beliefs.  That does not matter to the enlightened elites, who proclaim a brave, new world of abhorrent sexual ideals.

For us today, remember these principles:

Even when it becomes difficult to stand, or when tolerance of sin becomes a temptation, reinforce your spirit with the truth of God's Word.   We are seeing an assault on an essential institution in our society, and we can continue to pray for God's strength in upholding His principles.

And, today, be thankful for your family and the strength of the family across our nation.  Your family situation may be fractured or frazzled, and there may be any number of relationship challenges, but you can remember that they have been given to you by the Lord, and you can look to Him to repair, restore, and reinforce His intentions for your family.