What Does Today's SCOTUS Decision Mean?
by Joseph Backholm
In
a surprising move announced this morning, the United States Supreme
Court refused to hear the appeal of five separate decisions in which
judges ruled that Constitutional Amendments defining marriage as a
relationship between a man and a woman are unconstitutional.
The
Supreme Court did not affirm the lower court decisions, but by virtue
of not hearing the appeal, the decisions from Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah,
Wisconsin and Indiana will stand.
This decision, however, has implications beyond those five states.
The
federal court system is broken up into 11 circuits. A decision from one
state will apply to all states in that circuit. Therefore, by allowing
the decisions from these states to stand the Supreme Court has
effectively struck down marriage laws in North Carolina, West Virginia,
South Carolina, Wyoming, Kansas and Colorado as well.
As a result, the number of states now recognizing same-sex "marriage" could be as high as thirty.
While
proponents of natural marriage are disappointed because it redefines
marriage in other states, proponents of redefining marriage had hoped
the Supreme Court would take up the issue and rule in their favor.
No one is entirely pleased.
Still,
the decision is surprising because the Supreme Court had previously
granted a stay (delay in implementation) of the lower court decision
pending a final outcome.
It is unusual for the Supreme Court to grant a stay but then refuse to hear the appeal.
Regardless, by refusing to hear the appeal, the stay will expire and marriage to be redefined by default.
The decision is troubling because it furthers a trend of unelected bodies overturning the will of the people.
However, this is certainly not the final word on this subject either in the courts or in the culture.
In
the courts, there are several other cases working their way up through
the system. The Supreme Court could be waiting for one of those cases to
delay their final decision a couple of years.
Culturally,
the conversation over this issue is just getting started. In one sense,
proponents of redefining marriage are just finishing their opening
argument. Time will afford the chance for a rebuttal.
While
it is critical that we respond to the confusion over marriage, gender,
and the family right now, time is our greatest ally.
Proponents
of same-sex "marriage" insist that as people get to know same-sex
couples, we will all come to see that same-sex relationships are no
different. In reality, those closest to same-sex relationships will be
the greatest advocates for natural marriage a generation from now.
In
thirty years, it is the children of same-sex relationships who will be
arguing most forcefully on our behalf. That is not because those
children will hate the same-sex couples who raised them but because they
will be immune to the argument that the only possible reason to support
natural marriage is because you hate gay people. They will also have a
perspective that those who deal only in theory and never in practice
will have no response for.
A
mother or father cannot be removed from the eco-system of the family
without harming it. I cannot make decisions based on my belief that my
own personal happiness is the greatest good without hurting myself and
others.
We may find reality inconvenient but reality did not ask for our opinion.
As Cicero once wrote, "Time obliterates the fictions of opinion and confirms the decisions of nature."
The Supreme Court's decision is unfortunate, but this is all far from over.
The best response is vigilance.
Of
course with the redefinition of marriage comes lawsuits and other forms
of harassment directed at people who believe in natural marriage.
But
if you we want to protect our freedoms from those who would take them
in the name of tolerance and diversity, we have to know which candidates
share our perspective. And we have to actually go to the trouble of
supporting those who share our perspective with our vote.
And then make sure you get your friends and family to do the same.
Remember, with our new
Vote Finder
tool, you can know if your friends and family have voted before the
election is over. So use the tool to find 10 friends and family members
who share your perspective and make sure they turn in their ballot.
A
few more votes in the right places from the right people will be the
difference between grandmas being sued because of their beliefs about
marriage and people being free.
Yes, it's easy to be frustrated about some of these developments. But doing something about it is far more fulfilling.
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