Constitutional Marriage

The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide,, but should they?  Our courts rendered a religious ruling on marriage, breaching the wall called Separation of Church and State. The definition for the word "marriage" was set over 4,000 years ago...  

“Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:22-24), This verse defined marriage as between a man a woman thousands of years before the constitution was written.

To declare otherwise is hypocrisy for those who believe in a wall of separation between Church and State. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States>, for marriage is a well defined religious term.  Since the beginning the state has chosen to recognize and affirm marriage (Jewish, Christian, Islamic, etc.) as good for the nation.  Our founders and lawmakers confirmed marriage as an act of faith by the sanctioning of ministers to perform marriages.  The state recognized some would wish to affirm this religious principle outside the church, allowing magistrates, ship captains, and others to perform this rite.

Marriage promotes stability for the family and protection of children who are born to a man and a woman.  Marriage is not about liberty or a selfish pursuit of happiness (14th amendment), it is about surrendering our rights for the benefit of others.

Egocentric self interest has allowed the ideal concept of marriage to be watered down.  Divorce has been allowed for those who lose interest in their spouse; has allowed couples to split in order to avoid hardship; and is used to circumvent the need of each individual in the home to change for the betterment of others.  In recent times we have become more interested in tax privileges, insurance benefits and property inheritance than in shaping of character.

The state should use the term “Civil Union” when the government desires to give (or take) rights to those who cohabit together.  For the state to have its own term could be tremendously freeing.  As rights and privileges are given to same-sex couples (or to those of other orientations), religious discussion becomes secondary.  Those who have objection to religion (atheists, agnostics, etc) will find it easier to fit into state regulations.

The decision of the court on June 26 was written in total disregard to the first amendment, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. - "Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists - The Final Letter, as Sent on January 1, 1802". Library of Congress. Retrieved13 February 2014.

Exodus: Out of Slavery

     This week I have been traveling with my daughters.  Along the way we visited Tuskegee University, the Historical Museum in Montgomery, drove along US 80 from Montgomery to Selma, and walked across the bridge.  At the University we saw the stained glass window at the Chapel which highlights spirituals sung by slaves.  In Selma, we also saw pictures: both contained scenes from Egypt.
     >see pictures on Facebook, type in the link "KosherCopy"
     The Passover story has meaning in every generation.  It is so full of meaning the Jewish people have been telling the story, celebrating our freedom, and incorporating concern for others through 3,500 years.  The African American also celebrates this story, as well as their own freedom.  And we need to look today at those who still need freedom, for the story is meant to teach us compassion.
     One celebrated verse in the book of Exodus says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me." (Ex 9:1) Enslaved people need a God who will give them boldness and the way to ask for freedom.
     God tells us, "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt." (Ex 22:21)  We are to take this teaching and apply it to our world today.  What of children of aliens born in this country?  This seems to be a political hotbed.  The Bible would teach us not only to care for the children born in this country; but also their parents (yes, some are illegal), who have come to make a better life for themselves.  We are to care for them and help them.  We live in a land of immigrants.  (We saw at the History Museum how white men displaced the Indians illegally).  
     We, as parents set the example for our children.  We are to "On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt." Ex 13:8.  Certainly we are to take the teachings of Passover and put them to use, so all will be able to hear the Gospel, and live in the land.