NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–James Dobson calls the battle over the definition of marriage the “passion” of his heart at this stage of his life. But he’s not optimistic about the outcome, unless Christians get involved.
Dobson’s latest book, “Marriage Under Fire: Why We Must Win This Battle” (Multnomah), addresses the issue of same-sex “marriage” and explains why he believes a Federal Marriage Amendment is the only solution. It is the first book by a pro-family leader to tackle the issue of same-sex “marriage” and is scheduled to be released this month.
“Barring a miracle, the family as it has been known from time immemorial will crumble,” he writes. “This is a moment for greater courage and wisdom than we have ever been called upon to exercise.”
The battle for the definition of marriage, the Focus on the Family founder argues, is more “significant to our culture” than the war on terror.
“We must step up to the plate,” he writes.
Dobson fears that too many Christians are unaware of the dangers posed by same-sex “marriage” and too many leaders are “surprisingly silent.” Believers, he says, must speak up and demand that legislators in Washington send the Federal Marriage Amendment to the states.
“This apocalyptic and pessimistic view of the institution of the family and its future will sound alarmist to many, but I think it will prove accurate unless — unless — God’s people awaken and begin an even greater vigil of prayer for our nation,” he writes.
Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex “marriage” in May, joining Belgium, the Netherlands and three Canadian provinces as the only places in the world where it is legal.
Dobson lists 11 concerns he has with legalized same-sex “marriage.” Among them: the “universal acceptance” of homosexuality, the loss of religious freedom and the teaching in public schools that homosexuality and heterosexuality are equal.
“For nearly sixty years, the homosexual activist movement and related entities have been working to implement a master plan that has had as its centerpiece the utter destruction of the family,” he writes. “Now the final battle is at hand: The institution of marriage and the Christian church are all that stand in the way of the movement’s achievement of every coveted aspiration.”
Children will suffer most, he notes, because society will have abandoned the ideal family structure of a mother and a father.
“And have you considered what will happen when homosexuals with children become divorced?” he asks. “Instead of two moms and two dads, they will have to contend with four moms or four dads.”
In Canada, Focus on the Family’s radio programs cannot address the issue of homosexuality, he writes.
“Is that kind of censorship coming to the United States?” he asks. “Yes, I believe it is.”
Politicians, though, are running from the issue, Dobson asserts. He recounts that he and several pro-family leaders tried to meet with 11 Democratic senators recently, but were turned down by each one. Among them: moderate Democrats Bill Nelson of Nebraska and John Breaux of Louisiana.
“There is only one way to get the attention of our leaders in Washington,” Dobson writes. “… We must overwhelm them with calls, e-mails, visits, letters, and publications, and most importantly, we need to support their opponents. … When their coveted positions are threatened, they tend to do what is right.”
The only way to protect the traditional definition of marriage, Dobson says, is by passing the Federal Marriage Amendment. The amendment requires the support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate and three-quarters of the states. Today, are only 15 Senate sponsors.
“Congress and the state legislatures must pass a Federal Marriage Amendment to define this historic institution exclusively as being between one man and one woman,” he asserts. “That is the passion of my heart at this stage of my life.”
The book includes a “Q&A” section on frequently asked questions about same-sex “marriage.” It also has a resource guide and sample newspaper letters to the editor.
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“Marriage Under Fire” can be pre-ordered at www.lifewaystores.com. The list price is $10.99.
For more information about the national debate over same-sex “marriage,” visit
http://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage
