Neighborhood Ministries

Liberals in Congress are pushing the “Respect for Marriage Act” that could codify the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell vs Hodges that created the Constitutional right to same-sex marriages in the event that the Supreme Court case is overturned. Neither the Supreme Court or the federal government have the right to regulate marriage. The Constitution says that is the responsibility of the State since it does not assign it to the federal government. It would force a State to recognize a marriage as long as it was legal in the State where it occurred, even though that marriage is illegal in the State. It is very similar to laws enacted by Congress before the Civil War which free States to recognize a slave as the property of its owner as long as slavery was legal in the slave’s home State, even though slavery was illegal in the State the slave resided in. It does not limit the marriage to two partners either, so the federal government would have to recognize in federal law and all States would have recognize in their State laws, whatever definition of marriage any State would adopt. It would overturn the statutes in 34 States that define marriage as between a man and a woman. It would also nullify Constitutional amendments in 24 of those States that define marriage as between a man and a woman. It would create a legal nightmare where conservative States would have to obey the laws of liberal States, even when it violates their constitution. Apparently, they have forgotten who voted them into office and who is paying their salary. It is time for the voters to remind them when they go to the polls in November.

There are widespread advantages to being married. It is known that those who are married tend to live longer than those who aren’t. Marriage teaches people to work with others and compromise to maintain peace, it reduces stress by dividing the responsibility for maintaining the household between two people, and it provides emotional support to its members when they face stress. While those things can be gained in any two person relationship, marriage contains a commitment of two people to each other not found in other relationships. Most relationships do not have the closeness of living together. Living together provides more opportunity for disagreements and conflict than found in other relationships and people living together can’t ignore them like those who don’t live together. In addition, most relationships are short-lived and lack the permanency of marriage. Without the commitment of marriage, one or both can decide to end the relationship when things get rough. 

The number one request I got from pastors in Uganda was to tell them about marriage and family. They are experiencing a great breakdown in marriages and family. That is also a major problem in the United States. Marriage is under attack today but many churches do little to support the families that attend their church and divorces among church goers is about as prevalent as among those who don’t attend. While churches feel there is little they can do, there is actually a great deal they can do. I have written extensively on marriage and family and have a number of manuscripts available. They are listed on our website. I have also done numerous lectures on marriage and family. I am available to do lectures in person and on Zoom.