Below is the letter that was sent by Focus on the Family to Tennessee preachers in an effort to pass the anti gay marriage amendment -- by getting churches to get out the rightwing Republican vote!
"We strongly support President Bush’s call for a Constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage, and we believe that neither federal nor state judges nor bureaucrats should force states to recognize other living arrangements as equivalent to marriage. We believe, and the social science confirms, that the well-being of children is best accomplished in the environment of the home, nurtured by their mother and father anchored by the bonds of marriage. We further believe that legal recognition and the accompanying benefits afforded couples should be preserved for that unique and special union of one man and one woman which has been historically called marriage. . . This common sense law reaffirms the right of states not to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states."
Oops, that's not the letter from the Focus on the Family religious zealots. That's an excerpt from the Republican Party Platform (2004). It's hard to tell the difference. But that doesn't stop Dobson's organization from claiming that it's okay for preachers to talk politics in churches because supporting the Republican Party Platform is "non partisan" politics. Sounds like 'Republican logic' to me. (View the heterosexist Tennessee Marriage Amendment.)
Here's the letter:
Focus On The Family
Marriage Amendment Committee
8605 Explorer Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO, 80920
(719) 531-3400
September 2006
Dear Pastor,
Greetings from Focus on the Family. The Family Action Council of Tennessee, with which Focus is proudly associated, has asked us to alert you to a very important issue that you will vote on this year.
On November 7, Volunteer State voters will be given the opportunity to amend the state constitution to clearly define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The only way to protect marriage from redefinition by rogue judges – such as those who legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts – is to enshrine traditional marriage in the state constitution.
Gay rights activists have already begun a campaign in Tennessee to defeat the marriage amendment. This makes it imperative that everyone who is eligible to vote in this election get out and vote to defend marriage by voting YES on Amendment 1 – the Tennessee Marriage Amendment.
We also urge you to prepare your congregation to get out and vote to protect marriage and the family. And because this is a nonpartisan, ballot issue, you are well within your legal rights as a pastor to take a stand on the marriage amendment from the pulpit and ask your congregants to do so as well.
So far 20 states have approved constitutional amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman, and the key to their success was the involvement of the church. Even liberal news sources agree it was the marriage amendments being on the ballots that brought out the church in record numbers.
We need to keep this momentum going, and the citizens of Tennessee are poised to accomplish this. Please encourage your congregation to get out and vote to protect traditional marriage and the family by voting for Amendment 1 on November 7.
Together we can advance the cause of righteousness and claim victory in upholding the godly institution of marriage. The preservation of the family in Tennessee depends on all of us.
Your Servants in Christ,
H.B. London, Jr. Tom Minnery
Vice President, Senior Vice President,
Church & Clergy Government & Public Policy
Dedicated to the Preservation of the Home
James C. Dobson, Ph.D, Founder and Chairman
www.family.org
Related Post: Nashville: James Dobson Anti-Gay Rally Moved to New Location
Gay David Fowler Gay Marriage James Dobson Focus on the Family Tennessee Republican Party Platform Politics Bush Vote No On 1 News Nashville Church and State Election 2006 Marriage Amendment
