June 27, 2013. Below is a statement from Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of N.C., on the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding same-sex marriage:
Today is one of the saddest days in our nation’s history. We’ve watched the Highest Court in the land essentially legislate from the bench, trumping the will of the people both in California and America.
By dismissing Proposition 8 on procedural grounds, arguing the Intervenors lacked standing to litigate the case, the people of California were left defenseless against an unjust court ruling. This decision by The Supreme Court ignored California law and showed favor to elected officials who refused to do their duty to legally defend the will of over seven million voters who clarified that marriage should only be defined as between one man and one woman.
In a time when we are seeing scandal after scandal in national politics, the High Court has now deeply stained its own credibility in its ability to provide justice. Their ruling essentially rewards dereliction of duty and is a betrayal of one of the people’s most fundamental rights – a voice of appeal.
The Supreme Court’s decision in striking down Section 3 of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional (DOMA) is also tragic. In 1996, by a bi-partisan vote Congress passed DOMA. Section 3 in the law essentially says a state that has redefined marriage cannot force that definition on the federal government. But today the High Court allowed that to happen. Federal benefits, provided by the taxpayers, will now be given to same-sex couples in states where gay marriage is legal. Thus, the will of the American people as stated in DOMA is trumped by five justices on the High Court.
The only redeeming aspect of the rulings are that there was nothing in them so broad sweeping as to find a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Neither do they overturn constitutional amendments protecting marriage as one man and one woman, like the one North Carolina approved by a 61% – 39% margin in May of last year. Still, make no mistake, these rulings were a major boost for those seeking to redefine marriage and unquestionably provides the legal foundation for them to do it.
For too many years churches have been largely disengaged from the political process and now we are seeing the fruits of that disengagement. Our churches have failed to engage the culture with the gospel of Christ and with the truth of God’s word. Rather than providing a clear moral compass, many mainline churches have acquiesced and now reflect some of the same perverted values of the world around us. Our churches need a great revival. Our nation needs a great spiritual awakening. What’s wrong with our nation is essentially the same as what’s wrong with our churches – we don’t take God and his order for life seriously. We’re running our own show independent of Him. This always spells disaster.
Certainly these rulings by the Supreme Court, which place liberty and justice in jeopardy of failing, are a clarion call for believers to step up the effort to win back our nation for Christ. The redefinition of marriage is a stake in the heart of the nation’s character, deeply impacting negatively religious liberty and the health of marriage and the family. We have yet to see the sad and painful results of an entire generation of young people ready to take the reins of this nation who largely know little or nothing about the importance of both a mother and a father. But we are moving in that fearful direction and it’s a scenario we won’t likely survive as a people.
Gay marriage is inevitable only if God’s people remain lukewarm about their spiritual duties to be both “salt” and “light.”
– Rev. Mark Creech, Executive Director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
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