Materials now available for churches and others to use – get them today!
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
RALEIGH — The question of the future of marriage in our state will be on May’s primary ballot. But even now, six weeks before we cast our votes, North Carolinians must decide who’s going to determine the outcome. Will the vote reflect the will of the residents inside our state or the whim of outsiders and activists?
“The other side has President Obama speaking out against marriage, the California Democrats making calls into our state and all kinds of resources that they are pouring into their efforts to change the definition of marriage,” said Rachel Lee, Director of Communications for Vote FOR Marriage NC. “But we’re the ones who are going to live here after May 8. We have a vested interest in this issue.”
While a recent Civitas poll showed 64 percent of likely voters support the Marriage Amendment, which would insert the “one man-one woman” definition into our State Constitution, media reports and much of the hoopla surrounding the issue has focused on the pro-homosexual agenda of celebrities or activists, many from outside the Tar Heel state.
“We are getting the national spotlight. People from Hollywood, New York … activists are pouring money into our state to push us to accept their agenda. They’re clamoring because they know that we want this — we want marriage protected. So they’re bringing out the big guns with money from all over the country,” Lee said. “It’s clear that we have a target on us. If we don’t act now to protect marriage, it’s going to be too late.”
She pointed out that in each of the 30 states where a marriage protection amendment has been placed on the ballot, voters have approved it.
“If we don’t, we will be the first state ever to have not passed this by the will of the people, which would certainly have marriage opponents setting their sights on trying to change our current laws,” she said.
Contrary to rumors being propagated by its very vocal opponents, the Marriage Protection Amendment will not change any current law.
“One of the main things that the other side is saying is that it will take away benefits, change child custody rulings or make it hard to enforce domestic violence laws, but none of that is the case,” Lee said. “The Amendment does one thing and one thing only, it defines marriage. It would take our existing marriage law and put it into the Constitution. It does not alter any other laws. In fact, its purpose is to prevent activists from changing the law.”
While the Vote FOR Marriage NC campaign staff is diligently working to get out the truth about the Amendment and the need for it, Lee said it is volunteers who will make the difference.
“This is exactly why the Christian Action League is calling on God’s people to get involved and get equipped. If you are not already working to help get out the vote FOR the Marriage Amendment, what are you waiting for?” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “Not only can we make a difference, it is imperative that we do. Marriage is at stake.”
Both Creech and Lee encouraged believers to take advantage of the many resources being offered by the Vote FOR Marriage NC campaign to help get the word out.
“There are extensive materials so that people can read up on the amendment, print off fact sheets, or print petitions to take to their church. There’s even a comprehensive church tool kit on the Web site,” Lee said of www.voteformarriagenc.com.
Anyone who signs up on the Web site to volunteer can click on the appropriate boxes to register to receive yard signs and bumper stickers as they are produced, beginning as early as next week.
Lee said Amendment supporters who visit the site can easily find voter registration materials, sample church bulletin inserts, talking points and more that can be used in a church setting or for a neighborhood or civic organization.
“There is also a resolution under the Materials tab that can be taken to any organization, whether it’s a church, a township, board of commissioners, city council or whatever,” she said. “They can print it out and get the entity to vote on the resolution saying they support the amendment.”
Once the signed resolution is sent back to the campaign, the group’s name will be posted on the supporters list and they may be featured in a press release to help show how widespread support for the amendment is across the state.
Individuals or companies who support marriage can let it be known by posting one of the campaign’s web site badges on their site, which will link Internet browsers to VoteFORmarriageNC.com
Many of the resources are available in Spanish, and visitors to the site can sign up for e-mail updates to keep informed and to connect with the growing network of county and regional coordinators. They can also simply click on the site’s links to “Connect on Facebook” or “Follow on Twitter.”
“We are trying to empower individuals with the tools they need and make our own materials available, because we are relying on our volunteer base,” Lee said.
In addition to tapping into the campaign resources to educate themselves and their neighbors on the issue, Christians should also invest financially to help save marriage, the Rev. Creech said.
Lee said supporters may contribute online or get their church to make a pledge and take up an offering.
“We have a desperate need for funding,” she said.
The Rev. Creech urged Christians to be encouraged by the hard work of the Vote For Marriage NC team and to take advantage of the many avenues to get involved.
“The fact that our opponents on this issue are pulling in outsiders and loads of cash from other parts of the nation to try to quash our efforts to protect something as near and dear to us as marriage should shake us up and prompt action,” he said. “Rather than becoming discouraged by this opposition, we need to be bold and resolve now that we won’t let activists hijack this vote by interfering in what should be decided by the residents of our state on May 8.”