Gay Marriage in Massachusetts
Massachusetts marriage amendment overcomes opposition!
Published January 11, 2007
BOSTON (BP)-In an action that surprised even some conservatives, Massachusetts legislators Jan. 2 passed a proposed constitutional marriage amendment just hours before it would have died as the session ended.
The amendment, which would protect the natural definition of marriage statewide, now must pass once more in the next session if it is to appear on the 2008 ballot. If adopted, it would reverse a landmark court ruling from 2003 that legalized "gay marriage."
Just days ago the amendment appeared doomed. Legislators met in a constitutional convention three times in recent months but recessed each date without giving the proposal an up-or-down vote. Many observers thought the same thing would happen Jan. 2, the last day of the legislative session. Instead, the amendment received 62 votes-12 more than required under state law. Voting against it were 134 members. Under state law the proposal needed the support of only one-fourth of legislators in the 200-member chamber.
"It was a miracle," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told Baptist Press. "We did everything possible that we could do over the last year and a half to get to this point.... Nobody gave us a plugged nickel's chance and yet God made it happen."
A record 170,000 Massachusetts citizens signed petitions to qualify the amendment for legislative consideration, and Mineau and other amendment supporters were confident they had the 50 votes for passage. But when legislators met in November, opponents of the amendment-knowing it could pass if given a chance-voted 109-87 to recess until Jan. 2.
Amendment supporters, led by outgoing Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, subsequently filed a lawsuit against legislators in state court, asking the court to issue a decision laying out the state constitutional responsibilities of legislators. Two days after Christmas, the state's highest court unanimously ruled legislators had a "constitutional duty" to vote on the amendment.
Mineau applauded Romney and Democratic Senate President Robert Travaglini for their leadership on the issue. Travaglini was the presiding officer of the convention and supported the amendment. Additionally, Mineau said, there were more than 40 newspaper editorials statewide calling for an up-or-down vote on the amendment.
Homosexual activists were pressuring legislators to kill the amendment Jan. 2 and not advance it to the next session. Incoming Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, a "gay marriage" supporter, also urged the legislature to adjourn without a vote, The Boston Globe reported. Mineau said it was "very disturbing" to have the next governor, "who is going to take the oath of office to uphold the constitution, coming to the legislature and calling on them to violate the constitution."
Both sides of the political battle now will gear up for the next vote, which could take place before July.
"We still have in excess of 50 votes in the new legislature, but it's going to be a little tighter," Mineau said. "Truthfully, we were counting on 57 firm votes [Jan. 2] and we got 62. That was encouraging."
Massachusetts remains the only state in America to recognize "gay marriage," although three state courts this year are considering "gay marriage" suits. Mineau hopes Massachusetts is on its way to restoring the natural definition of marriage. "We're on second base, heading to third," he said.
Some Facts about marriage in Massachusetts
Real Marriage is...
...an institution for a man and a woman. Marriage is not genderless. It is a union of two different sexes, not just a union of two different people. Real marriage (a man & a woman) is not rooted in discrimination. It is rooted in common sense, for the common good. For marriage to flourish in our culture, it must be protected from redefinition; for if marriage can mean anything, it will mean nothing. [Note: If you disagree with this bedrock principle, please read no further. No marriage that violates the man-woman standard can be real.]
...best for children. While thousands of Massachusetts single moms and dads earn their “SuperParent” wings every day, to raise healthy children who become productive citizens, there is but one gold standard for which we should strive as a society... that every child be reared by a loving mother and father.
…the ultimate solution for Massachusetts’s problems. Prisons fill, schools fail, and welfare rolls grow because of the breakdown of marriage & the home. Governments and charities have spent millions of dollars for decades treating symptoms. It is time for governments, churches, communities and businesses to come together to treat the cause.
...an intimate, healthy relationship. Real Marriage means communication, commitment, respect and selfless love. These are the keys to a healthy, happy, affair-proof life ’til death do us part. Successful parenting and warm, enduring bonds with children comes from true intimacy in marriage.
...worth working at. Divorce and dissatisfaction can be avoided. A good marriage is worth the effort it requires, and organizations across Massachusetts stand ready to help with proven programs and timeless wisdom.
...built on faith. Marriage is a God-designed institution predating constitutions, governments, and laws. Marriage works best when God is the foundation and central unifying presence.
The right vote on the Marriage Amendment is YES. The right vote for Marriage is YES. Keep it real in law on election day and make it real at home every day.
I commit to the principles of Real Marriage.
Sign the pledge online (see below)
www.RealMarriage.info
http://www.realmarriage.info/petition.asp?opt=nocancel
Questions and Answers about the Marriage Amendment
http://www.fri-wi.org/WMPA_resources/wi_mpa_qa.pdf
The Battle for Marriage
FRI's DVD project for churches!
http://www.fri-wi.org/
(Click on picture for printable resources such as bulletin insert)
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Bible Verses on Gay Marriage
Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Deuteronomy 23:17-18
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
The Greatest Commandment
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Massachusetts Marriage Amendment bring you these Bible verses:
Luke 9:51
[A Samaritan Village Rejects the Savior] Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
John 4:39
[The Savior of the World] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did."
John 4:42
Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
Acts 5:31
Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
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