God’s Institution of Marriage (and society itself) further threatened in New Hampshire
Following is the text of a document forwarded to us regarding the critical decisions before the New Hampshire state legislature (House Bill 436). Having already lost this battle in Vermont, home to many of our members, we wanted to inform the congregation of the issues, and of what they might do to help stave off further moral decline in our state and nation. This link also provides an excellent summary of the issues that we should be informed of concerning the nature of the proposed changes in New Hamphsire.
Marriage Is God’s Plan
God has ordained three basic institutions: the church, the government, and the family. The family is the first and foundational institution of human society, composed of individuals related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
According to the Bible, marriage can only be the union of one man and one woman (Gen. 1:27; 2:24). It is the only proper place for sexual relations and is intended to be a life-long relationship. While some in the culture might seek to redefine what constitutes a family, God’s perspective is unchanged.
Every civilization in history is built upon the institution of marriage. The welfare of children, the propagation of the faith, the wellbeing of society, and the orderliness of civilization are all dependent upon the stability of marriage according to the divine pattern.
Marriage According to Jesus
Jesus was clear about the definition of marriage: “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore
what God has joined together, let man not separate.”(Matthew 19:4-6). Jesus affirmed God’s plan for marriage, thus rejecting all other sexual relationships – including homosexual relationships.
Marriage Is Under Fire
Unfortunately, many in our culture are seeking to redefine marriage, and therefore destroy it altogether. For when the Godgiven pattern for marriage is undermined, the whole superstructure of society becomes unstable. Alarmed by this growing threat to traditional marriage, a number of states have taken action.
Marriage Is Being Defended in Some States
Since the legalization of same-sex “marriage” in Massachusetts, California (which thankfully was reversed by the people’s vote), and Connecticut, twenty nine states have voted in favor of a constitutional amendment preserving traditional marriage. Many other states have a Defense of Marriage Act to define marriage as only between one man and one woman, but could be changed by courts or legislators.
Marriage Is About to Be Redefined in New Hampshire
New Hampshire law currently defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. However, the time-honored definition of marriage is under direct attack by House Bill 436, which would change New Hampshire law to allow for same sex “marriage.” Here is a part of the Analysis:
This bill eliminates the exclusion of same gender couples from marriage,… and provides a mechanism by which same gender couples who have entered into a civil union prior to the enactment of this bill may obtain the legal status of marriage.
Consequently, HB 436 would adversely affect the institution of marriage, your child’s education and the very foundation of ordered society. Please contact your local legislator and respectfully ask them to reject this dangerous social experiment. Tell them to vote “NO” on House Bill 436 or any other bill that would weaken or redefine traditional marriage in New Hampshire. It is time to stand for
marriage!
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For more info on efforts to protect marriage in New Hampshire, visit:
www.CPRAction.org.
www.MarriageFactsNH.org
For more on defending faith, family, and freedom in America:
Visit the Family Research Council @ www.FRC.org
