On July 4, both supporters and opponents of traditional marriage will gather on the steps of the Texas capitol building for a traditional marriage rally, named "A Declaration of Dependence - One Nation Under God." The rally, sponsored by TakeUp.org, a new Christian online advocacy organization, and endorsed by the Texas Christian Coalition, will feature Family Research Council President Tony Perkins as the keynote speaker.
Organizers have announced on their website that the event will not be a protest but "a time filled with prayer and praise."
The website also reads, "People from all over Texas will gather together at the Capitol to seek the face of God and declare complete dependence of Him."
Other appearances for the rally will include Pastor Michael Hatcher of Lighthouse Community Church in Ft. Worth, TX, who will be leading prayer, and Christian recording artist Bill Nash, who will be performing his hit song "In God We Still Trust!"
Perkins will also deliver a message early Sunday on "One Nation Under God" during the 9AM service of the Church at Canyon Creek in Austin, reported the church's pastor Donnie Dixon.
It has been reported that two pro-homosexual organizations, The Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (LGRL) and Soulforce Austin, are planning rallies in opposition to the traditional marriage rally. Pro-homosexual advocates will meet at the Metropolitan Community Church of Austin for training on silent protest. After the meeting, LGRL will distribute T-shirts, which on the front reads "I can't" for homosexual participants, or "I do" for heterosexual participants. The back of both T-shirts reads "Come Out and Support Marriage".
Takeup.org is encouraging all of its supports to take the opportunity to show the love of Christ to all present at the rally.
In recent weeks, grassroots efforts to rally support for traditional marriage have been gaining unprecedented momentum as the date approaches for the anticipated Senate voting on the Federal Marriage Amendment, which will define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Petition drives favoring the marriage amendment are currently taking place in six states.
On June 30, the Defense of Marriage Coalition submitted 244,587 signatures, well over double the 100,840 they needed, to the state election officials. Once the signatures are verified, the constitutional amendment banning same-sex "marriages" will be placed on the November ballot letting voters in Oregon decide on the future of state marriages. The state of Arkansas also collected the required number of signatures this week to receive a chance to vote on the FMA in November.
"A Declaration of Dependence - One Nation Under God" will begin at 4PM.
For more information, visit: takeup.org.
