WHEREAS, Marriage is the foundation of the God-ordained institution of the family (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-8); and
WHEREAS, The union of one man and one woman is the only form of marriage prescribed in the Bible as God’s perfect design for the family (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4); and
WHEREAS, This traditional family is the fabric of all social order and the foundational institution that builds and maintains strong societies; and
WHEREAS, This traditional family provides the best environment for training and nurturing future generations (Deuteronomy 6:4-9); and
WHEREAS, The institution of marriage is now in crisis; and
WHEREAS, A decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has resulted in legal same- sex “marriages” in the state of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Same-sex couples have challenged state laws protecting traditional marriage in the courts, and more challenges are expected; and
WHEREAS, Groups advocating same-sex “marriage” have pledged to challenge all state Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs) and the federal Defense of Marriage Act and, according to respected legal experts, courts in some of the states with DOMAs on the books are likely to rule those laws unconstitutional; and
WHEREAS, Certain elected officials across the nation have acted outside the law, issuing counterfeit marriage licenses; and
WHEREAS, In 1998 the Southern Baptist Convention amended The Baptist Faith and Message by adding “Article XVIII. The Family,” which states, “Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment”; and
WHEREAS, On May 17, 2004, the presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries and their faculties issued a statement, entitled “No Man Put Asunder,” upholding marriage as “a covenant that unites a man and a woman in a holy union,” and in which they also affirmed “that marriage was designed for humanity by our Creator, who gave us marriage for the rightful ordering of human sexuality and relationships”; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention holds a clear position against same-sex “marriage,” having passed resolutions opposing such unions and upholding traditional marriage in 1996, 1997, and 2003; and
WHEREAS, In order to prevent state courts or the United States Supreme Court from redefining marriage, a Federal Marriage Amendment to the United States Constitution is necessary, defining marriage as exclusively the union between one man and one woman and prohibiting judges from forcing states or the federal government to legalize same-sex “marriage”; and
WHEREAS, Passing a constitutional amendment is, by design, a difficult task, requiring two-thirds majorities in both houses of the United States Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 15-16, 2004, declare our support for a Federal Marriage Amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon all members of both houses of Congress to pass a Federal Marriage Amendment and all state senators and legislators to ratify the same amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists and all members of the Body of Christ to provide their elected representatives at the federal and state levels with verbal and written encouragement to pass such an amendment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend President George W. Bush for his statements in support of a Federal Marriage Amendment; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we challenge pastors and leaders within the Body of Christ to support and faithfully promote a Federal Marriage Amendment.