Critical Vote on Federal Marriage Amendment Scheduled
- Jul 13, 2004
Senators Need to Hear from Home
As you are aware, the Senate is expected to vote on S. J. Res. 40, the Federal Marriage Amendment, on or before Thursday, July 15. It is important that concerned Christians contact their U.S. Senators and express their support for this bill. A watered-down version of the amendment has been offered; we do not consider it an acceptable alternative.
Because we as Southern Baptists believe that marriage is the God-ordained, fundamental institution of the family—and indeed civilization—and not an “evolving paradigm” as it has been described by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, we urge you to do all you can within your state to draw attention to this crucial vote.
A resolution on this matter, adopted by the 2004 Southern Baptist Convention meeting last month in Indianapolis, is a superb statement of the current threat to marriage and a call to action. It is included at the bottom of this mailing.
An informative document entitled “The Case for the Federal Marriage Amendment” is available on our Web site. Click here to view that insightful report.
We know from experience that members of Congress do take note of the quantity and nature of calls generated on high-profile legislation, especially when making difficult, often “last-minute” decisions. A number of senators who are undecided on the Federal Marriage Amendment are facing 2004 or 2006 reelection campaigns, so this vote is an opportune time for constituents to remind their elected representatives who they work for and whose values they are tasked with representing. There can be no question that your calls have the potential to make a significant impact on this vote.
Finally, we ask that you pray for those who have indicated their support for this amendment as well as those who are undecided and firmly against passage of the bill. Pray for God’s power to be conveyed through phone calls and e-mails to the Capitol so that hearts would be touched and minds would be changed.
Please know that we appreciate your many efforts on behalf of the marriage debate in your states.
Since time is of the essence, we recommend that members be contacted via either the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224.3121, or by dialing directly from the following list. NOTE: All phone numbers are in the “202” area code.
Akaka, Daniel (D-HI), 224.6361
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN), 224.4944
Allard, Wayne (R-CO), 224.5941
Allen, George (R-VA), 224.4024
Baucus, Max (D-MT), 224.2651
Bayh, Evan (D-IN), 224.5623
Bennett, Robert (R-UT), 224.5444
Biden, Joseph (D-DE), 224.5042
Bingaman, Jeff (D-NM), 224.5521
Bond, Christopher “Kit” (R-MO), 224.5721
Boxer, Barbara (D-CA), 224.3553
Breaux, John (D-LA), 224.4623
Brownback, Sam (R-KS), 224.6521
Bunning, Jim (R-KY), 2 24.4343
Burns, Conrad (R-MT), 224.2644
Byrd, Robert (D-WV), 224.3954
Campbell, Ben Nighthorse (R-CO), 224.5852
Cantwell, Maria (D-WA), 224.3441
Carper, Thomas (D-DE), 224.2441
Chafee, Lincoln (R-RI), 224.2921
Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA),224.3521
Clinton, Hillary Rodham (D-NY), 224.4451
Cochran, Thad (R-MS), 224.5054
Coleman, Norm (R-MN), 224.5641
Collins, Susan (R-ME), 224.2523
Conrad, Kent (D-ND), 224.2043
Cornyn, John (R-TX), 224.2934
Corzine, Jon (D-NJ), 224.4744
Craig, Larry (R-ID), 224.2752
Crapo, Michael (R-ID), 224.6142
Daschle, Tom (D-SD), 224.2321
Dayton, Mark (DFL-MN), 224.3244
DeWine, Mark (R-OH), 224.2315
Dodd, Christopher (D-CT), 224.2823
Dole, Elizabeth (R-NC), 224.6342
Domenici, Pete (R-NM), 224.6621
Dorgan, Byron (D-ND), 224.2551
Durbin, Richard (D-IL), 224.2152
Edwards, John (D-NC), 224.3154
Ensign, John (R-NV), 224.6244
Enzi, Michael (R-WY), 224.3424
Feingold, Russell (D-WI), 224.5323
Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA), 224.3841
Fitzgerald, Peter (R-IL), 224.2854
Frist, Bill (R-TN), 224.3344
Graham, Bob (D-FL), 224.3041
Graham, Lindsey (R-SC), 224.5972
Grassley, Charles (R-IA), 224.3744
Gregg, Judd (R-NH), 224.3324
Hagel, Chuck (R-NE), 224.4224
Harkin, Tom (D-IA), 224.3254
Hatch, Orrin (R-UT), 224.5251
Hollings, Ernest (D-SC), 224.6121
Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R-TX), 224.5922
Inhofe, James (R-OK), 224.4721
Inouye, Daniel (D-HI), 224.3934
Jeffords, James (I-VT), 224.5141
Johnson, Tim (D-SD), 224.5842
Kennedy, Edward (D-MA) 224.4543
Kerry, John (D-MA), 224.2742
Kohl, Herb (D-WI), 224.5653
Kyl, Jon (R-AZ), 224.4521
Landrieu, Mary (D-LA), 224.5824
Lautenberg, Frank (D-NJ), 224.3224
Leahy, Patrick (D-VT), 224.4242
Levin, Carl (D-MI), 224.6221
Lieberman, Joseph (D-CT), 224.4041
Lincoln, Blanche Lambert (D-AR), 224.4843
Lott, Trent (R-MS), 224.6253
Lugar, Richard (R-IN), 224.4814
McCain, John (R-AZ), 224.2235
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY), 224.2541
Mikulski, Barbara (D-MD), 224.4654
Miller, Zell (D-GA), 224.3643
Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK), 224.6665
Murray, Patty (D-WA), 224.2621
Nelson, Ben (D-NE), 224.6551
Nelson, Bill (D-FL), 224.5274
Nickles, Don (R-OK), 224.5754
Pryor, Mark (D-AR), 224.2353
Reed, Jack (D-RI), 224.4642
Reid, Harry (D-NV), 224.3542
Roberts, Pat (R-KS), 224.4774
Rockefeller, John D. “Jay” (D-WV), 224.6472
Santorum, Rick (R-PA), 224.6324
Sarbanes, Paul (D-MD), 224.4524
Schumer, Chuck (D-NY), 224.6542
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL), 224.4124
Shelby, Richard (R-AL), 224.5744
Smith, Gordon (R-OR), 224.3753
Snowe, Olympia (R-ME), 224.5344
Specter, Arlen (R-PA), 224.4254
Stabenow, Debbie (D-MI), 224.4822
Stevens, Ted (R-AK), 224.3004
Sununu, John (R-NH), 224.2841
Talent, Jim (R-MO), 224.6154
Thomas, Craig (R-WY), 224.6441
Voinovich, George (R-OH) 224.3353
Warner, John (R-VA), 224.2023
Wyden, Ron (D-OR), 224.5244
ADDENDUM
Resolution on the Federal Marriage Amendment
Passed by the Southern Baptist Convention
Indianapolis, Indiana
June 15-16, 2004
Resolution No. 1
ON SUPPORTING A FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, Marriage is the foundation of the God-ordained institution of the family (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-8); and
WHEREAS, The union of one man and one woman is the only form of marriage prescribed in the Bible as God’s perfect design for the family (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4); and
WHEREAS, This traditional family is the fabric of all social order and the foundational institution that builds and maintains strong societies; and
WHEREAS, This traditional family provides the best environment for training and nurturing future generations (Deuteronomy 6:4-9); and
WHEREAS, The institution of marriage is now in crisis; and
WHEREAS, A decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has resulted in legal same-sex “marriages” in the state of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Same-sex couples have challenged state laws protecting traditional marriage in the courts, and more challenges are expected; and
WHEREAS, Groups advocating same-sex “marriage” have pledged to challenge all state Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs) and the federal Defense of Marriage Act and, according to respected legal experts, courts in some of the states with DOMAs on the books are likely to rule those laws unconstitutional; and
WHEREAS, Certain elected officials across the nation have acted outside the law, issuing counterfeit marriage licenses; and
WHEREAS, In 1998 the Southern Baptist Convention amended The Baptist Faith and Message by adding “Article XVIII. The Family,” which states, “Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment”; and
WHEREAS, On May 17, 2004, the presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries and their faculties issued a statement, entitled “No Man Put Asunder,” upholding marriage as “a covenant that unites a man and a woman in a holy union,” and in which they also affirmed “that marriage was designed for humanity by our Creator, who gave us marriage for the rightful ordering of human sexuality and relationships”; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention holds a clear position against same-sex “marriage,” having passed resolutions opposing such unions and upholding traditional marriage in 1996, 1997, and 2003; and
WHEREAS, In order to prevent state courts or the United States Supreme Court from redefining marriage, a Federal Marriage Amendment to the United States Constitution is necessary, defining marriage as exclusively the union between one man and one woman and prohibiting judges from forcing states or the federal government to legalize same-sex “marriage”; and
WHEREAS, Passing a constitutional amendment is, by design, a difficult task, requiring two-thirds majorities in both houses of the United States Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 15-16, 2004, declare our support for a Federal Marriage Amendment, and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon all members of both houses of Congress to pass a Federal Marriage Amendment and all state senators and legislators to ratify the same amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists and all members of the Body of Christ to provide their elected representatives at the federal and state levels with verbal and written encouragement to pass such an amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend President George W. Bush for his statements in support of a Federal Marriage Amendment; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we challenge pastors and leaders within the Body of Christ to support and faithfully promote a Federal Marriage Amendment.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission affirms and respects the autonomy of every Baptist entity—individual believers, local churches, associations, and state conventions—and acknowledges the independence of each to act on our agency’s recommendations and requests according to the dictates of their consciences.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Family, Marriage, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality