| |
|
|
| |
 |
Special Alert!
February 24, 2004 |
We Are in a Culture War--and All of Us Have Been Drafted!
Dear Friend;
President Bush's announcement today of his strong support for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage means
that the pivotal battle in the culture war has truly begun.
This is a battle that clearly can no longer be avoided. It has been precipitated by a series of recent events:
- The actions of four activist judges in Massachusetts to impose same-sex marriage in that state starting in
mid-May and the inability of the legislature to effectively deal with that threat.
- The open contempt for the rule of law demonstrated by San Francisco officials in "marrying" thousands of
same-sex couples.
- The decision of New Mexico county officials to issue marriage licenses, stopped only by the command of the
state attorney general.
- The scramble by a number of states to protect themselves from being forced to recognize same-sex marriages
performed elsewhere.
All of these events - all occurring the past several weeks - have underscored the critical and growing need for a
national answer to an absolutely fundamental question: What is marriage?
The step that will truly protect marriage is an amendment to the United States Constitution. This
amendment will trump the actions of activist judges, the lawlessness of mayors and the arbitrary acts of county officials
and prevent future acts of anarchy from arising throughout the country.
It is essential to recognize that, in a very real sense, the battle for this amendment is the battle to defend marriage
as a fundamental and essential institution. The stark reality is that if we cannot get this amendment passed, we cannot
defend marriage. And, if we cannot win this battle of the culture war, we may be unable to win any future
skirmish.
Another stark reality is that there will be no noncombatants in this battle. Each of us has been drafted.
Our actions - or inaction-will determine the viability of the society we will pass on to our grandchildren and their
grandchildren.
There are a number of things all of us can do to help win this battle.
1. Educate yourself, your spouse and your children; then help educate others. Defend Marriage
and our parent group, United Families International, along with other pro-marriage and pro-family groups, are making
available extensive educational materials on the importance of marriage and what people can do to protect it. Pass
this material on to others.
2. Defend marriage whenever and wherever you can with friends, family, co-workers and others. You can no longer
stay silent; speak with knowledge, kindness and understanding, but above all: speak! Person-to-person advocacy
is the most persuasive political communication, whether in defense of marriage or any other cause.
3. Take action however you can. Sign a petition, such as our
United States Petition to Defend Marriage. Contact your elected
representatives. Register to vote. Support pro-marriage and pro-family candidates and get out and vote for them.
Encourage others to do the same. We and other groups will be making suggestions on what you can do to be most
effective.
4. Contribute to the cause. The hard reality is that those who are attacking marriage and the family
are spending millions of dollars in pursuit of their goals. If we cannot also raise millions of dollars to defend
marriage and the family we will lose this battle.
We have a vital public education campaign to mount: we need your help to do so. We have the ideas, personnel and the
ability to educate Americans. Without your support, however, this educational message may not be delivered.
Most organizations opposing same-sex marriage have a moral basis for their opposition. Morality, furthermore, is a
perfectly legitimate reason to oppose same-sex marriage. But, opposition based on morality alone may not be persuasive
enough to ensure adoption of a constitutional amendment to protect marriage.
Defend Marriage is poised to demonstrate to Americans that social science research, the lessons of history, legal
realities and plain old common sense require preservation of the unique and uniquely valuable institution of marriage.
This case to be made in support of marriage is overwhelming. Unfortunately, however, not enough Americans understand
the historical, sociological and legal foundations of marriage. Unless groups like Defend Marriage, and its parent
United Families International, make this case vigorously and effectively in the policy arena, it may not be made at
all.
Your contribution will make it possible for us to more effectively educate Americans regarding the compelling case for
marriage. We will be distributing educational material to legislators and the media such, as our
"Guide to Family Issues: Sexual Orientation"
that has been so enthusiastically received in Massachusetts. We are establishing and strengthening Defend Marriage
organizations in key battleground states like Massachusetts and California. We are committed to maintaining and
improving our Web site. We will conduct media outreach and public education efforts and advocate in Congress and state
legislatures in defense of marriage and the family. But we can only do this with the financial support of people like
you.
You may make a tax deductible contribution to our parent organization, United Families International, a 501 (c) (3)
organization. To easily designate your entire contribution to support the Defend Marriage Project, simply make it in
a dollar amount and 4 cents--$20.04, $50.04, etc. You can
make a secure contribution on-line by going to
our web site and either using your credit card or printing out a form to mail in a contribution.
A generation ago, many children asked their fathers and mothers, "What did you do in the war?"
When our children ask us what we did in this battle in the cultural war, how will we answer?
This is a battle that we can win. For our children's sake, it is a battle that we must win.
Please join us in this critical fight.
Sincerely,
Richard G. Wilkins
Chairman |
|
If this was forwarded on to
you and you would like to subscribe directly, please go to
www.defendmarriage.org.
To unsubscribe, click here. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|