By M.H. Cavenaugh
Christian Action League
September 12, 2014
WINSTON-SALEM – “It is unquestionably an act of lawlessness,” said Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. Dr. Creech was referring to a decision by Winston-Salem officials to defy the state’s constitutional amendment on marriage by recognizing out-of-state same sex marriages for city benefits.
In a memo dated August 28th, Winston-Salem’s Human Resources Department states:
“Effective immediately, the City of Winston-Salem will change the definition of marriage to recognize marriage licenses from any State or U.S. jurisdiction, regardless of sex, for all City benefit programs.”
The memo further argues that the city believes it is justified in its decision because of a recent Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that knocked down Virginia’s marriage amendment as unconstitutional. Since North Carolina falls under the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and North Carolina’s Attorney General has announced he will no longer defend the state’s marriage laws, the city contends it’s on solid legal grounds.
Nevertheless, the city’s arguments are far from solid legal ground, said Dr. Creech. Dr. Creech said the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a stay of the Fourth Circuit’s ruling on the Virginia case, which means its ruling has no impact on Virginia or any other state within the Fourth Circuit court at this time. Moreover, he said, the state’s Attorney General’s decision not to defend North Carolina’s constitutional marriage amendment does not render the law null and void. “The Constitution of this state trumps at this point – no court has ruled against our state’s marriage amendment and the city is not only acting presumptuously but illegally. Its trampling all over the will of the people of this state, the 61 percent who voted to keep marriage as one man and one woman.”
According to the Winston-Salem Journal, a committee of the Winston-Salem City Council met to discuss the matter on Tuesday of this week. Opponents and supporters of the new plan were present for the meeting, but were not allowed to speak. Instead, they were encouraged to make their comments during regular meetings of the city council.
The Journal also noted that Kris McCann, a Republican candidate for N.C. House District 71, said after the meeting that “he wanted to tell council members that the city is violating the state constitution, amended in 2012 by popular vote to prevent same sex marriages. That law hasn’t been tested by the courts yet, he said.”
“Lawlessness,” said Dr. Creech, “is a sign of the last days. Jesus warned us in Matthew 12 that lawlessness would spread. Christ told us that perilous times would come. The Bible tells us that men would be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, and without natural affection. We’re seeing this unfolding in front of our own eyes and in our own day. Nevertheless, we must stand against evil everywhere it raises its ugly head until Jesus comes.”
Take Christian Action
If you live in the Winston-Salem area, contact the City Manager, Lee Garrity, and express your concerns that the city’s new policy is illegal and disrespects the will of the people of North Carolina. The phone number for Garrity’s office is 336.747.7380. His email address is leeg@cityofws.org.
Attend City Council Meetings, which are on the first and third Mondays of each month. Council meetings are open to the public. Concerned citizens opposed to this policy should make their presence known in large numbers.
Send email to all of the Council Members