Pastors Focus on Marriage Sunday

Special Report - February 17, 2009
The NC4Marriage Coalition is preparing for two large grassroots events in defense of traditional marriage — Marriage Sunday and a Marriage Rally. The two events are part of a statewide effort to encourage North Carolina lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow citizens the opportunity to vote on a constitutional marriage amendment to include the definition of marriage in the state as being between one man and one woman. North Carolina in the only state in the Southeast without such a constitutional amendment, making it vulnerable to legal attacks to overturn current marriage laws in exchange for same-sex “marriage.” Marriage Amendment bills have been introduced each of the last five years in the General Assembly without receiving a vote. NC4Marriage hopes that this year’s grassroots campaign will change that. Polling indicates that more than 70 percent of North Carolinians support a Marriage Amendment.

This weekend on Marriage Sunday pastors across the state will “preach about God’s design for marriage and the scriptural admonitions about homosexuality,” according to the campaign’s website. It is also an opportunity for pastors to educate members of their churches about the NC4Marriage campaign and encourage them to get involved. Churches will especially focus on organizing members of their congregations to attend an upcoming Marriage Rally in Raleigh. Resources including bulletin inserts, videos, fliers, petitions, and radio spots can be downloaded at the group’s website.

On March 3, Return America anticipates thousands of participants for a Marriage Rally on the Halifax Mall behind the Legislative Building at the State Capitol. Dr. Ron Baity, president of Return America, stressed that “In a society that is trying to redefine marriage, it is time for us to get back to the basics and explain the theology of what marriage is all about.” Baity sees a particularly important role for pastors to speak out loudly on the importance of this and other issues that impact that family. Churches, schools, and organizations are encouraged to bring buses of members to the rally in Raleigh. David Barton of Wallbuilders and David Gibbs III of the Christian Law Association will speak at the rally. Afterwards, attendees will meet with their legislators to encourage them to support passage of the Marriage Amendment. More information can be found at the Return America website.

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