Christian Leaders Pledge Not to Cross the Marriage Redline

Washington, DC - As the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on marriage next week, religious and political leaders representing Evangelicals, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Jewish communities pledge their unity to stand in solidarity for marriage and the family. The Marriage Pledge declares the following:

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Deacon Keith Fournier, Rev. Rick Scarborough, Mat Staver, Janet Boines, and Bishop E.W. Jackson pledge solidarity for marriage at National Press Club today. We stand united together in defense of marriage. Make no mistake about our resolve. While there are many things we can endure, redefining marriage is so fundamental to the natural order and the common good that this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross. The Marriage Pledge was co-drafted by Keith Fournier, a Catholic Deacon who is Editor of Catholic Online and Founder of Common Good Foundation, and Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. The Pledge was featured in an article on the Stream. The Marriage Pledge states,

We affirm that marriage and family have been inscribed by the Divine Architect into the order of Creation. Marriage is ontologically between one man and one woman, ordered toward the union of the spouses, open to children and formative of family. Marriage as existing solely between one man and one woman precedes civil government. Though affirmed, fulfilled, and elevated by faith, the truth that marriage can exist only between one man and one woman is not based on religion or revelation alone, but on the Natural Law, written on the human heart and discernible through the exercise of reason. It is part of the natural created order.

Staver said, "This is the redline we will not cross. While no one wants this conflict, we have no choice but to resist an unjust law, particularly one that will force us to participate in acts that directly conflict with the Natural and Revealed Law." This the most divisive and culturally destructive issue to face America since the Supreme Court's abortion decision in Roe v. Wade. "The difference between the Supreme Court's 1973 abortion decision and this one is the coercive nature of it," said Staver. "As horrific as Roe v. Wade is, that Supreme Court decision did not force people to participate in abortion. A decision that says same-sex marriage is a constitutional right will result in coercion against religious freedom and conscience rights," Staver points out. "If the Court makes a wrong turn and purports to redefine the natural created order of marriage as between one man and one woman, that decision would be lawless," said Staver. The Marriage Pledge states, "Our highest respect for the rule of law requires that we not respect an unjust law that directly conflicts with higher law." The signers of the pledge agree, "As people of faith we pledge obedience to our Creator when the State directly conflicts with higher law. We respectfully warn the Supreme Court not to cross this line."