Homosexual Marriage

I picked up a Des Monies Register yesterday and found an article on the debate of homosexual marriage in Iowa. As you know, a couple weeks ago a judge ruled that it was unconstitutional for the state of Iowa to prohibit homosexual marriages. I thought I would share with you all a statement made by Tom Jacobs who is our new superintendent for the Assemblies of God. Here is the statement he made concerning these events:

Last week a "marriage" between two homosexual males made the headlines in Iowa and throughout the nation. As a spiritual leader, you will be asked to make a statement about this development. We need to work together to make sure we are prepared for such opportunities. The following is information that I sent out to our credentialed ministers in Iowa. Hope it's helpful.

You have undoubtedly heard about the egregious action by a local judge in the Des Moines area, finding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed by the Iowa legislature several years ago, as unconstitutional. In light of his judgment and the “homosexual marriage” which took place I its aftermath, I wanted to attempt to equip you with some tools you might find helpful.
First, if you are asked to make a statement before the media, you may find these “talking points” helpful (I used them yesterday when I spoke with our local NBC affiliate). These statements came from the Alliance Defense Fund and the Iowa Family Policy Center, located here in Des Moines.

Special interest groups should not trump what’s in the best interest of Iowa families and children. Who’s more important: our children or special interest groups?
Last week’s decision is an example of why marriage in Iowa must be protected by a state marriage amendment.The opponents of marriage are not trying to redefine marriage, they’re trying to eliminate it.

Nine years ago, Iowa voters clearly expressed their desire to protect marriage in the state through their elected and accountable representatives.

Now, some of those elected representatives have thwarted the will of the people to constitutionally protect marriage between one man and one woman.

The will of the people should not be trumped by a special interest group bent on using the courts to destroy marriage.

We’re all in trouble if special interests become more important than strong families.

Second, some time ago, the Executive Board of Administration issued a statement supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment which was before Congress. This statement clearly addresses the stance of the Assemblies of God on the issue of homosexual marriage. You may find it helpful:

Homosexual Marriage Statement
The Assemblies of God is deeply concerned about the attack on biblical, moral values in our nation, especially the aggressive attempt of the pro-homosexual lobby to redefine marriage. The Bible teaches marriage is God-ordained and is to be a life-long commitment between one man and one woman. (Matthew 19:4-5).
God’s design for marriage goes back to mankind’s beginning. The family, as God’s means of propagating His creation, grows out of this primary human relationship. The consistent sexual ideal of the Bible is abstinence for those outside of monogamous heterosexual marriage and faithfulness for those inside such a marriage. There is absolutely no affirmation of homosexual activity found anywhere in Scripture. However, there is abundant evidence that homosexual behavior, along with illicit heterosexual behavior, is immoral and comes under the judgment of God.
The church believes, in the light of biblical teaching, that the growing cultural acceptance of homosexual identity and behavior is symptomatic of a broader spiritual disorder that threatens the family, the government and the church.
Third, you may want to access more information and tools from the Iowa Family Policy Center at www.ifpc.org.