NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A “Battle for Marriage” rally originally scheduled for Aug. 29 has been moved to Sept. 19 so as to coincide with a likely debate in the House of Representatives on the constitutional marriage amendment.
The “Battle for Marriage III” rally — the third such rally this year — will take place just as House members gear up to debate a constitutional amendment that would protect the traditional definition of marriage, thus banning same-sex “marriage.” The amendment now is being called the “Marriage Protection Amendment” instead of the “Federal Marriage Amendment.”
Pro-family leaders say that a House debate on the amendment likely will take place the week of Sept. 20 or Sept. 27. The rally is intended to inform and mobilize Christians on the issue of same-sex “marriage.”
The rally will be held at three locations, with First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark. — where Ronnie Floyd serves as pastor — operating as the base site. Focus on the Family’s James Dobson is scheduled to speak there. Two other sites — David Jeremiah’s Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego and an undetermined location in Washington, D.C. — will serve as remote locations. Richard Land of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council are scheduled to speak from the location in Washington, D.C.
As the date approaches, churches and individuals will be able to register online at www.wevotevalues.com to receive the telecast either via a webcast or satellite. Radio and television stations likely will carry the rally, although that lineup is not yet complete.
“The only way the supporters of same-sex marriage will succeed in forcing it on America will be to silence the critics,” Perkins wrote in a letter to pastors. “Who are their critics? Those who speak up about traditional moral values and biblical truth. That’s why other countries like Canada that have legalized same sex marriage are now silencing the Church by making the preaching of scripture that condemns homosexuality hate speech.”
Previous rallies were held May 23 and July 11.
Constitutional amendments require the passage of two-thirds of both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states. In June, the amendment was blocked from receiving a vote in the Senate. It is believed to have greater support in the House.
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For more information about the national debate over same-sex “marriage,” visit
http://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage
