Traditional marriage movement

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The traditional marriage movement is a political movement whose participants believe that only unions between one man and one woman should be legally defined as marriages. The movement has recently gained momentum and visibility in reaction to the increased acceptance, in certain parts of the world, of broadening the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex partners.

Gary Glenn, a prominent member of the movement in the U.S. state of Michigan, has described the movement as "...a burgeoning alliance of white evangelicals, conservative Roman Catholics and African-American Protestants for whom gay marriage is like abortion: non-negotiable."[1] The movement also includes noted religious organizations such as the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America, which has expressed in a press release that "the term 'marriage' cannot be construed or applied to same-sex relationships, as to do so is to deprive the term of its fundamental and defining meaning."[2]

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[edit] Opposition to same-sex marriage

The traditional marriage movement advocates for its definition of marriage specifically in political opposition to same-sex marriage. In particular, the traditional marriage movement justifies its definition by claiming that it has been universally upheld throughout the history of the institution of marriage itself. Supporters of the traditional marriage movement also point to religious and moral convictions, as well as religious texts such as the Bible and Torah, in trying to demonstrate the rootedness of their definition of marriage in longstanding traditions. Supporters of the movement argue that the alleged historical precedence of their definition of marriage - its enshrinement in "tradition" - justifies the need to protect it from the changes sought by advocates of same-sex marriage. One example of such an argument from tradition appears in a 1996 essay by Bill Bennett published in Newsweek claiming that "broadening the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions would stretch it almost beyond recognition," and that "the burden of proof ought to be on those who propose untested arrangements for our most important institution."[3]

[edit] Protection of the family and society

Leaders and supporters of the traditional marriage movement often insist that the legalization of same-sex marriage, by altering the definition of marriage they regard as traditional, would harm families and society as a whole. For instance, in an opinion piece published by the National Review, Sam Brownback, a Republican U.S. Senator from Kansas wrote, "If we fail to protect traditional marriage... the costs to our society... would be significant — even devastating — when measured in terms of the effects on our central social institution, the family."[4] He expresses the view that opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage protects the family, and therefore society as a whole, by promoting the well-being of children. He refers to a study carried out by Child Trends, a child-welfare organization, which claimed there is "[v]alue for children in promoting strong, stable marriages between biological parents." He further asserts that "[r]edefining marriage is certain to harm children."[4]

In the context of moral philosophy, bio-ethicist Margaret Somerville has raised similar objections to same-sex marriage, which she claims to violate the "rights" of children to be raised by both of their biological parents.[5]

[edit] Organizations

Organizations that support what they describe as being a "traditional" definition of marriage and oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage include Agudath Israel of America,[6] Alabama Policy Institute, the Alliance Defense Fund, Alliance for Marriage, American Center for Law and Justice, American Family Association,[citation needed] Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, American Values, California Family Council, Campaign for Children and Families, The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Caucus for America, The Center for Arizona Policy, The Christian Civic League of Maine, the Christian Coalition,[citation needed] Christians for Biblical Equality, Christian Legal Society[7], the Christian Voice,[citation needed] the Church of God (Anderson, IN),[8] the Church of God in Christ,[9] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[citation needed] Citizens for Community Values, Coalition to Save Marriage in New York, Colorado Family Institute, the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference,[10] the Conservative Mennonite Conference[11] The Conservative Party of New York State, Convocation of Anglicans in North America, Cornerstone Institute of Idaho, the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood,[12] Eagle Forum, the Evangelical Methodist Church,[13] Family Action Council of Tennessee, Exodus International[citation needed], Family First, The Family Foundation, Family Institute of Connecticut, Family Policy Institute of Washington, Family Research Council,[citation needed] Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, Florida Family Policy Council, Focus on the Family,[citation needed] Free Market Foundation, Georgia Family Council, Hawaii Family Forum, The Heritage Foundation, the Hutterite Brethren,[14], Indiana Family Council, Institute for Marriage and Public Policy,[15] Liberty Counsel, Iowa Family Policy Council, Louisiana Family Forum, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod,[16] Maine Jeremiah Project, Marriage Law Project, Massachusetts Family Institute, MassResistance, Michigan Family Forum, Minnesota Family Institute, Mississippi Center for Public Policy, Montana Family Foundation, the Moral Majority,[citation needed] NARTH,[citation needed] National Organization for Marriage, New Hampshire Family Values, New Jersey Family Policy Council, New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation, New York State Catholic Conference, North Carolina Family Policy Council, Oklahoma Family Policy Council, the Orthodox Church in America,[17] Palmetto Family Council, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays,[18] Pennsylvania Family Institute, the Presbyterian Church in America,[19] the Rabbinical Council of America,[20] Religious Freedom Coalition, Renew America, the national Republican Party,[21] most state Republican Parties,[citation needed] the Roman Catholic Church,[citation needed] the Seventh-day Adventist Church,[22] South Dakota Family Policy Council, Southern Baptist Convention,[23] Thomas More Law Center, Unification Church,[citation needed] the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU).[20], Vermont Renewal, and West Virginia Values Coalition.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ MacDonald, G. Jeffrey. "Opponents of same-sex marriage gain momentum, eye federal amendment", Religion News Service, November 4, 2004. 
  2. ^ Rabbinical Council of America (Mar 30, 2004). "Same-Sex Marriage". Press release.
  3. ^ Bill Bennett. "In Defense of Traditional Marriage." Newsweek(6-3-96). Qtd. in [[1]].
  4. ^ a b Brownback, Sam (July 09, 2004). Defining Marriage Down - We need to protect marriage.. National Review.
  5. ^ Somerville, Margaret. (14 July 2005) Gay rights, children's rights (Opinion) National Post. Canadian Children's Rights Council.
  6. ^ Jewish Law - LawPolicy ("Agudath Israel of America - Policy Paper")
  7. ^ DOMAwatch.org - Links
  8. ^ Resolution Regarding Same-Sex Marriage. The Church of God General Assembly Resolution, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  9. ^ Church Of God In Christ, Inc
  10. ^ gender-news.com
  11. ^ CMC Statement on Homosexuality. Conservative Mennonite Conference. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  12. ^ CBMW » Normalizing Same-Sex "Marriage" through Divorce
  13. ^ Williamson, Edward W.. Is America witnessing the end of marriage?. The Evangelical Methodist Church. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  14. ^ Hutterites take rare political stand against gay marriage. CBC News (2005-02-18). Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  15. ^ DOMAwatch.org - Links
  16. ^ http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_homosexuality.pdf
  17. ^ On Marriage, Family, Sexuality, and the Sanctity of Life. Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
  18. ^ DOMAwatch.org - Links
  19. ^ PCA Statement on marriage and Sexuality
  20. ^ a b Same-Sex Marriage, Rabbinical Council of America. (Accessed July 5, 2006)
  21. ^ Republican Party 2004 Platform.
  22. ^ The Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Homosexuality.
  23. ^ Article Not Found!