Traditional marriage movement

The traditional marriage movement is a political movement whose participants believe that only unions between one man and one woman should be legally defined as marriages.Fact|date=October 2008 Participants also assert they "are trying to reduce divorce and unmarried childbearing, and end the progressive deterioration" in the marriage culture.cite web |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-gallagher081303.asp |title=The Divorce Thing |first=Maggie |last=Gallagher |date=August 13, 2003 |publisher=National Review] The movement has recently gained momentum and visibility in reaction to the increased acceptance, in certain parts of the world, of broadening the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex partners.

Gary Glenn, a prominent member of the movement in the U.S. state of Michigan, has described the movement as "...a burgeoning alliance of white evangelicals, conservative Roman Catholics and African-American Protestants for whom gay marriage is like abortion: non-negotiable." [cite news
last = MacDonald
first = G. Jeffrey
title = Opponents of same-sex marriage gain momentum, eye federal amendment
publisher = Religion News Service
date = November 4, 2004
url = http://www.wfn.org/2004/11/msg00032.html] The movement also includes noted religious organizations such as the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America, which has expressed in a press release that "the term 'marriage' cannot be construed or applied to same-sex relationships, as to do so is to deprive the term of its fundamental and defining meaning." [cite press release
title = Same-Sex Marriage
publisher = Rabbinical Council of America
date = March 30, 2004
url = http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100556 ]

Opposition to same-sex marriage

The traditional marriage movement advocates for its definition of marriage specifically in political opposition to same-sex marriage. In particular, the traditional marriage movement justifies its definition by claiming that it has been universally upheld throughout the history of the institution of marriage itself. Supporters of the traditional marriage movement also point to religious and moral convictions, as well as religious texts such as the Bible and Torah, in trying to demonstrate the rootedness of their definition of marriage in longstanding traditions. Supporters of the movement argue that the alleged historical precedence of their definition of marriage - its enshrinement in "tradition" - justifies the need to protect it from the changes sought by advocates of same-sex marriage. One example of such an argument from tradition appears in a 1996 essay by Bill Bennett published in "Newsweek" claiming that "broadening the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions would stretch it almost beyond recognition," and that "the burden of proof ought to be on those who propose untested arrangements for our most important institution." [Bill Bennett. "In Defense of Traditional Marriage." "Newsweek"(6-3-96). Qtd. in [http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/narth/bulletin01/06.html] .]

Some advocates of traditional marriage argue that same-sex relationships are not marriages, [http://www.savemarriageny.org/The%20Case%20Against%20Same-Sex%20Marriage%20and%20Civil%20Unions.pdf] that legalization of same-sex marriage will open the door for the legalization of polygamy, [http://www.nationformarriage.org/atf/cf/%7B39D8B5C1-F9FE-48C0-ABE6-1029BA77854C%7D/CatholicEnglish.pdf] and that legalization of same-sex marriage would erode religious freedoms. [ [http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/191kgwgh.asp Banned in Boston ] ] Other advocates of traditional marriage hold that same-sex marriage is contrary to God's will, [cite web |url=http://www.hatecrime.org/subpages/hatespeech/robertson.html |title=The Religious Right and Anti-Gay Speech: Messengers of Love or Purveyors of Hate? |publisher=Matthew Shepard Online Resources] http://www.apacny.net/The%20Christian%20Case%20Against%20Same-Sex%20Marriage.pdf] that it is unnatural [cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE0DE1731F937A35753C1A964958260 |title=Anti-Gay Backlashes Are on 3 States' Ballots |date=1992-10-04 |accessdate=2008-06-06 |publisher=The New York Times] and that it encourages unhealthy behavior. [ [http://www.balancedpolitics.org/same_sex_marriages.htm BalancedPolitics.org - Same Sex Marriages (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against) ] ] Still others argue that same-sex marriage would encourage individuals to act upon homosexual urges, when such individuals ought to instead seek help to overcome the temptation toward homosexual behavior.

Leaders and supporters of the traditional marriage movement often insist that the legalization of same-sex marriage, by altering the definition of marriage they regard as traditional, would harm families and society as a whole. For instance, in an opinion piece published by the "National Review", Sam Brownback, a Republican U.S. Senator from Kansas wrote, "If we fail to protect traditional marriage... the costs to our society... would be significant — even devastating — when measured in terms of the effects on our central social institution, the family."cite web
last = Brownback
first = Sam
title = Defining Marriage Down - We need to protect marriage.
publisher = National Review
date = July 9, 2004
url = http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/brownback200407090921.asp ] He expresses the view that opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage protects the family, and therefore society as a whole, by promoting the well-being of children. He refers to a study carried out by Child Trends, a child-welfare organization, which claimed there is " [v] alue for children in promoting strong, stable marriages between biological parents." He further asserts that " [r] edefining marriage is certain to harm children."

In the context of moral philosophy, bio-ethicist Margaret Somerville has raised similar objections to same-sex marriage, which she claims to violate the "rights" of children to be raised by both of their biological parents. [Somerville, Margaret. (14 July 2005) [http://www.canadiancrc.com/articles/Nat_Post_gay_rights_childrens_right_Margaret_Somerville_14JUL05.htm Gay rights, children's rights (Opinion)] "National Post". Canadian Children's Rights Council. ]

Organizations

Organizations that support what they describe as being a traditional definition of marriage and oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage include:
Agudath Israel of America, [ [http://www.jlaw.com/LawPolicy/OU1.html Jewish Law - LawPolicy ("Agudath Israel of America - Policy Paper") ] ] [http://www.alabamapolicy.org/ Alabama Policy Institute]
Alliance Defense FundFact|date=July 2008
Alliance for MarriageFact|date=July 2008
American Center for Law and JusticeFact|date=July 2008
American Family AssociationFact|date=February 2007 [http://americansfortruth.com/about Americans for Truth About Homosexuality] [http://www.ouramericanvalues.org/ American Values] [http://www.californiafamily.org/ California Family Council] [http://www.savecalifornia.com/ Campaign for Children and Families] [http://www.catholicleague.org/ The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights] [http://www.caucusforamerica.com Caucus for America] [http://www.azpolicy.org/ The Center for Arizona Policy] [http://www.cclmaine.org/artman/publish/index.shtml/ The Christian Civic League of Maine]
Christian CoalitionFact|date=February 2007
Christians for Biblical Equality
Christian Legal Society [http://www.domawatch.org/links/index.html DOMAwatch.org - Links ] ]
Christian VoiceFact|date=February 2007 Church of God (Anderson, IN) [cite web|url= http://www.chog.org/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?nm=Core+Pages&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&tier=3&gid=9B410103A4034AF9930C4CFAC4474E93&AudID=E5E87D912B4A4358915D489F4BF9B6F6 |title=Resolution Regarding Same-Sex Marriage|work=The Church of God General Assembly Resolution, 2004|accessdate=2006-07-05]
Church of God in Christ [ [http://www.cogic.org/ Church Of God In Christ, Inc ] ]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [cite web|url= http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage |title=The Divine Institution of Marriage|accessdate=2008-09-23] [http://www.ccv.org/ Citizens for Community Values] [http://www.savemarriageny.org Coalition to Save Marriage in New York] [http://www.cofamily.org/ Colorado Family Institute]
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference [ [http://www.gender-news.com/article.php?id=31 gender-news.com ] ]
Conservative Mennonite Conference [cite web|url= http://cmcrosedale.org/about/homosexuality.shtml |title=CMC Statement on Homosexuality|publisher=Conservative Mennonite Conference|accessdate=2006-07-05] [http://www.cpnys.org The Conservative Party of New York State]
Convocation of Anglicans in North America [http://www.cornerstoneofidaho.org/ Cornerstone Institute of Idaho]
Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood [ [http://www.cbmw.org/Blog/Posts/Normalizing-Same-Sex-Marriage-through-Divorce CBMW » Normalizing Same-Sex "Marriage" through Divorce ] ] [http://www.eagleforum.org/ Eagle Forum] Evangelical Methodist Church [cite web|last=Williamson|first=Edward W.|url= http://www.emchurch.org/news.htm |title=Is America witnessing the end of marriage?|publisher=The Evangelical Methodist Church|accessdate=2006-07-05] [http://www.factn.org/ Family Action Council of Tennessee]
Exodus InternationalFact|date=March 2008 [http://www.familyfirst.org/ Family First] [http://www.tffky.org/ The Family Foundation] [http://www.ctfamily.org/ Family Institute of Connecticut] [http://www.fpiw.org/ Family Policy Institute of Washington]
Family Research CouncilFact|date=February 2007 [http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/ Family Research Institute of Wisconsin] [http://www.floridafamilyaction.org/ Florida Family Policy Council]
Focus on the FamilyFact|date=February 2007 [http://www.freemarket.org/ Free Market Foundation] [http://www.georgiafamily.org/ Georgia Family Council] [http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/ Hawaii Family Forum]
The Heritage FoundationFact|date=July 2008
Hutterite Brethren, [cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/02/17/hutterite-050217.html |title=Hutterites take rare political stand against gay marriage|publisher=CBC News|date=2005-02-18|accessdate=2006-07-05] [http://www.hoosierfamily.org/ Indiana Family Council] [http://www.marriagedebate.com/ Institute for Marriage and Public Policy]
Liberty CounselFact|date=July 2008 [http://www.iowaprofamily.org/ Iowa Family Policy Council] [http://www.lafamilyforum.org/ Louisiana Family Forum]
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod [http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_homosexuality.pdf] [http://www.mainejeremiahproject.com/ Maine Jeremiah Project]
Marriage Law ProjectFact|date=July 2008 [http://www.mafamily.org/index.php Massachusetts Family Institute] [http://www.massresistance.org/ MassResistance] [http://www.michiganfamily.org/ Michigan Family Forum] [http://www.mfc.org/ Minnesota Family Institute] [http://www.msfamily.org/ Mississippi Center for Public Policy] [http://www.montanafamily.org/ Montana Family Foundation]
Moral MajorityFact|date=February 2007
NARTHFact|date=February 2007 [http://www.nationformarriage.org National Organization for Marriage] [http://www.nhfamilyvalues.org/actions.html/ New Hampshire Family Values] [http://www.njfpc.org/ New Jersey Family Policy Council] [http://www.nyfrf.com New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation] [http://www.nyscatholic.org/pages/home/home.asp/ New York State Catholic Conference] [http://www.ncfamily.org/ North Carolina Family Policy Council] [http://www.okfamilypc.org/ Oklahoma Family Policy Council]
Orthodox Church in America [cite web|url= http://www.oca.org/DOCmarriage.asp?SID=12&ID=26 |title=On Marriage, Family, Sexuality, and the Sanctity of Life|publisher=Orthodox Church in America|accessdate=2006-07-05] [http://www.palmettofamily.org/ Palmetto Family Council]
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays [http://www.pafamily.org/ Pennsylvania Family Institute]
Presbyterian Church in America [ [http://www.newlifepca.org/pca_statement_on_marriage_and_se.htm PCA Statement on marriage and Sexuality ] ]
Rabbinical Council of America" [http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100556 Same-Sex Marriage] ", Rabbinical Council of America. (Accessed July 5, 2006)] [http://www.rfcnet.org/about.htm Religious Freedom Coalition] [http://www.renewamerica.us/ Renew America] National Republican Party [cite web|url= http://www.gop.com/images/2004platform.pdf |title=Republican Party 2004 Platform|format=PDF] Most state Republican PartiesFact|date=February 2007
Roman Catholic ChurchFact|date=February 2007
Seventh-day Adventist Church [cite web|url= http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_sda.htm |title=The Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Homosexuality] [http://www.sdfamily.org/ South Dakota Family Policy Council]
Southern Baptist Convention [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/06/15/national1654EDT0681.DTL Article Not Found! ] ]
Thomas More Law CenterFact|date=July 2008
Unification ChurchFact|date=February 2007
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America(OU) [http://www.vermontrenewal.org/ Vermont Renewal] [http://www.wvfpc.org/ West Virginia Values Coalition]

ee also

*Alliance Defense Fund
*Alliance for Marriage
*American Family Association
*Christianity
*Family Research Council
*Family values
*Focus on the Family
*Judaism
*Judeo-Christian
*Liberty Counsel
*LGBT rights opposition
*Maggie Gallagher
*Religion and homosexuality
*Same-sex marriage
*Same-sex marriage in the United States

References