(October 2, 2003) - If America tosses aside the nearly 2,000-year-old concept of traditional marriage in favor of embracing homosexual unions, it won't be because pro-family groups sat idly by and did nothing. In fact, the month of August saw one of the most impressive gatherings of leaders from pro-family groups ever assembled -- and with one goal in mind: stop same-sex marriage from becoming a reality.
Known as the Arlington Group, the pro-family representatives agreed to unify their efforts in promotion of "Marriage Protection Week ," which is scheduled for October 12-18. The purpose of the campaign, to be formally announced at a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) at the National Press Club, is to encourage churches and their pastors to become involved in the battle to preserve traditional marriage.
An advance press release from the group notes that pro-marriage sentiment has been rising since the Supreme Court's decision this summer in Lawrence v. Texas, which effectively ruled state anti-sodomy statues unconstitutional -- and that recent polls indicate most Americans support efforts to protect the traditional and biblical concept of marriage. The group concludes that marriage will be "a defining issue" in the coming election year.
"Office seekers are going to have to decide whether they stand with the majority of Americans or whether they will stand by and allow the destruction of society's premiere institution," the release states.
The national campaign includes outreach to churches across the country, national radio broadcasts, and public events. Among other resources, the group's website provides posters and bulletin inserts for church use, sermon preparation material, and even a sample proclamation for individuals to use in encouraging their civic and state leaders to endorse Marriage Protection Week. It also encourages individuals to sign an online petition supporting a Federal Marriage Amendment
Slated to speak at Thursday's press conference are Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family; Dr. Jerry Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia; Rev. Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association; Gary Bauer of American Values; and Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. Unprecedented Cooperation
Wildmon, founder and chairman of the American Family Association , was one of the pro-family leaders in attendance at the August meeting. He says the gathering was probably the largest meeting of pro-family groups ever held -- and "certainly one of the most cooperative."
Other leaders attending the meeting included Gary Bauer, American Values; Joel Belz, World magazine; Bill Bennett and Seth Leibsohn, Empower America; Rich Bott, Bott Broadcasting; Bay Buchanan, American Cause; Phil Burress, Citizens for Community Values; James Dobson and Tom Minnery, Focus on the Family; Mark Early and Mike Snyder, Prison Fellowship; Mike Farris, Home School Legal Defense Association; Janet Folger, Faith2Action; Andrea Lafferty, Traditional Values Coalition; Richard Land, Southern Baptist Convention; Marlin Maddoux, USA Radio Network; Tony Perkins and Connie Mackey, Family Research Council; Sandy Rios, Concerned Women for America; Ron Shuping, INSP TV Network; Lori Waters, Eagle Forum; and Paul Weyrich, Free Congress Foundation.
"We left [that meeting] with a plan of action and the willingness to work closely together to achieve our goal -- and we will be enlarging the group," Wildmon said. "I am really excited to see the pro-family forces come together and work in harmony."
Since that initial meeting, many other pro-family groups have come onboard, among them the American Association of Christian Schools, Americans United for Life, the Christian Coalition of America, Gideon Christian Fellowship Church, Marriage Ministries International, the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, National Religious Broadcasters, the Wilberforce Forum, the Religious Freedom Coalition, Samaritan's Purse, and Thomas Road Baptist Church.
