As many of you probably know, President Obama has instructed Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the federal courts.
DOMA passed in 1996 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 342-67 in the House and 85-14 in the Senate and was later signed into law by President Bill Clinton. House Speaker John Boehner vows that the House will defend the law.
Christians need to understand this complicated issue and prepare themselves for another battle in the war over traditional marriage.
Many signers of the Manhattan Declaration are speaking out, and we've collected some of their statements below for you.
Chuck Colson
Chuck Colson issued another Two-Minute Warning video commentary today on this very issue, stating, "The more I thought about it, the more flabbergasted, even angered, I am by the outright arrogance and elitism at work here."
Jim Daly and Al Mohler
Focus on the Family President Jim Daly and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Al Mohler had an informative and robust discussion about what the Defense of Marriage Act is and how the Executive Branch's rejection of the law has consequences for the entire country.
LISTEN HERE! http://www.citizenlink.com/doma/
Maggie Gallagher
In a debate with Brian Moulton, a gay activist with the controversial Human Rights Campaign, Maggie Gallagher persuasively argued for marriage as being the best foundation for society, when it is defined as being the conjugal union of one man and one woman.
Gallagher was also recently interviewed by Megyn Kelly on Fox News soon after the news broke that President Obama would not defend the Defense of Marriage.
Dr. Robert George
As reported by CNA, Dr. Robert George said, "Holder's statement was 'dripping with animus' against people who believe that marriage is 'the conjugal union of husband and wife.'"
"He treats that belief as if it were a mere prejudice, as though it is motivated by a desire to cause harm to people...Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. It is a legitimate moral belief that has informed our law throughout history."
He goes on to say that he worries the Justice Department will "abuse its authority to suppress the religious liberty of people who dissent."
Alliance Defense Fund
Alan Sears, President and CEO of the Alliance Defense Fund, issued a statement about Obama's decision to no longer defend the law.
"It's an outrage that the President and his Attorney General would not only fail to defend the law, but actively side with those who seek to redefine marriage and label the majority of Americans as the equivalent of bigots motivated by 'animus' for believing marriage is the union of one man and one woman," said Sears.
ADF also issued a press release. https://www.alliancedefensefund.org/DefendMarriage/PressRelease
Stay informed
It's critically important that you study this issue and be able to successfully defend it publicly. We will keep you updated as new information arises and our Manhattan Declaration allies continue to fight.
