Bush’s endorsement of a federal marriage amendment Tuesday, which will be “defining and protecting marriage as the union of a man and woman as husband and wife”, has created a ripple-wave of support from several pro-family organizations.
Many applauding Bush’s amendment, saying it could be the answer America needs to properly address the confusion of what defines the institution of marriage, after illegal marriage licenses were issued by San Francisco to same-sex couples, under the ruling of The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
“The president clearly understands that families formed through the union of one man and one woman are best for America and America’s children,” said Dr. James C. Dobson, chairman of Focus on the Family.
“We applaud President Bush’s unequivocal support of a federal marriage amendment as the only solution to this constitutional crisis.”
The Federal Marriage Amendment has 113 supporters in the House and nine in the Senate.
Dobson also noted that the amendment will allow “the will of the American people” to take precedence “as expressed through their elected representative” over the courts.
Chairman of American Family Association Don Wildmon also endorses the ban and says it will return the rightful voice to the people.
"Amending the Constitution is something not to be taken lightly, nor does it come easily. The president understands renegade judges and mayors are taking the law into their own hands, against the will of the people," he said.
Even though eight years ago, 1996, President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, the voice of the people as heard through Congress is now in danger of being mitigated by the courts.
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, believes in “The only way the American people can make their voice heard on this issue is to avail themselves of the mechanism provided by the Founding Fathers, namely amending the United States Constitution.”
Pro-family groups, which believe in preserving the sanctity of marriage, feels the institution of marriage is “under attack”, according to Dobson.
However, Bush has firmly man his position a president who serves the good of society.
“The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith,” the president said. “Ages of experience have taught humanity that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society. Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society.”
Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver said the conclusive decision must be made by the people.
“Marriage is the most important social and cultural issue of the century, and this issue should be for the people to decide, not the courts,” he said.
