Redefining Marriage in D.C. by Kerby Anderson
The city council of the District of Columbia faces many challenges. So it is difficult to understand why they are considering a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. And it is even more disturbing that the DC residents will most likely be shut out of their deliberations.
Consider that voters in 30 states went to great lengths to define marriage as a bond between one man and one woman. Yet the DC City Council seems ready to redefine marriage in the nation's capital without granting the residents the opportunity to express their will in the matter.
Recently I had Bishop Harry Jackson on my radio program. He is Senior Pastor of Hope Christian Church in Washington, D.C. and Chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition. He was not only concerned about the bill the city council was considering but also upset that the co-sponsors of the bill announced they would not allow the people of the District of Columbia to vote on this landmark decision.
The fact that gay rights were being compared to black civil rights did not escape the notice of the African-Americans present. Dr. Henry Gaston, President of the Missionary Baptist Conference of Washington, remarked: "in the name of advancing one group's civil rights, the city council is abridging my community's right to vote. Anyone familiar with the historic civil rights movement knows that 'the right to vote' not 'the right to marry' was the gold standard of civil rights privileges."
Bishop Jackson believes this battle in D.C. has ramifications for the rest of the country. First, if the city council legalized same-sex marriage, Jackson notes this will be the first decision for gay marriage below the Mason-Dixon line. Second, a victory in the District of Columbia will strengthen gay marriage advocates in Maryland and Virginia.
Bishop Jackson says that there 1200 churches in the D.C. area that have decided to work to protect marriage. These are churches under black, white, Hispanic, and Asian leadership that have a heart for traditional marriage and the family. They need our support and our prayers.
The Watchman On The Wall
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Verse 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
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