One of these, the newly formed Texas-based non profit organization known as God Said has the pious goal "to switch 25% of African American voters from voting their political party to voting their Biblical values." They announced their focus to change the hearts and minds of a large swath of voters within the African-American community within the swing states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin through nearly $1 million in television advertisements. Their website states it has the support of notable personalities as Dr. Day Gardner, former Miss America contestant, and Dr. Martin Luther King's niece, Alveda King, as well as the Coalition of African-American Pastors. It would appear God Saiders are quite fixated on a firm belief that they have been offended by the backing of National leaders, like President Obama, who have supported same sex marriage. Their foundational belief is that since the biblical Old Testament Book of Genesis depicted the first marriage as Adam and Eve, it has therefore been decreed that marriage is between one man and one woman. They further state that God's Word is Final and that we should all Vote His Value.
Suspiciously devoid from the ad against same sex marriage, is a widely paraphrased Biblical verse that "what God has joined, let NO MAN separate." Perhaps highlighting this statement of God's was conveniently left for future ads? It would seem that God Said, being a rather new organization, was too busy putting words in God's mouth while writing copy for same sex marriage opposition ads to be bothered with the other thing God Said: "Divorce = 1 Man + 1 Woman."
At least we can give credit to secular organizations, like the Maryland Marriage Alliance, who have acknowledged the existence of divorce and the role it has played in protecting family values. Within the state of Maryland, they have added their own opposition of same sex marriage and perspective on the Question 6 referendum. Their ads which, as of October 8, state that "Marriage is more than what adults want for themselves. It's also about the next generation. Marriage provides children the best chance of being raised by a mother and father. While death and divorce too often prevent it, children do best when raised by their married mom and dad. Everyone is entitled to love and respect, but nobody is entitled to redefine marriage. Vote against Question 6."
Perhaps Maryland Marriage Alliance can borrow from the ad tactics of God Said by rewriting thier ad to remind children of divorced families that: "Divorce = 1 Mom + 1 Dad." We Agree. Vote His values not your party. Be reminded of what God said.
Marriage is an ongoing relationship, not just a binding together of two people under contract, while separation and divorce are a stage in that relationship, usually with repercussions through life, and not just an unbinding on a particular date.
ReplyDeleteThe moralizers are content to codify society but do little to nurture ongoing relationships, much less the binding and unbinding of them and all that surrounds those activities. They simply aren't willing to do the heavy lifting required to support dating, marriage and family life, and have absolutely no infrastructure in place to support separation, divorce, and all that comes from the rending of relationship.
Like the pro-lifers aren't willing to follow up on the impact of their demand that unwanted pregnancies must end in adoption, the marriage moralizers have no idea what they set in motion for gays and lesbians when they legislate against same-sex marriage.
Divorce in same-sex marriage is simply not on the moralizers' radar. Why consider something that doesn't exist in their minds?
I feel that divorce, like abortion, should be legal and available but rare. Ultimately the Declaration of Independence ensures our right to the pursuit of happiness. The moralizers are on the wrong side of history. Their position is eroding but God only knows how long his flock will persist in their moralizing.