Stand for Marriage Maine Issues Statement About Opposition to Question 1
Marc Mutty, Chairman of the Executive Committee for Stand For Marriage Maine, the official campaign for Yes on Question 1, released the following statement today: BANGOR, Maine, -- "People of all faiths and no faith have the right to take a position on Question 1 and communicate that to the public and to their faithful. This right, I would note, extends as well to the Roman Catholic Church and the more than 600 churches and temples and houses of worship representing many denominations from throughout Maine that support protecting marriage as between a man and a woman. "The religious groups assembled today to publicly oppose traditional marriage are entitled to their position, but make no mistake that people of faith overwhelming will support Question 1 and the traditional definition of marriage. "Let's also be clear what position those gathered today are taking. LD 1020, proposed law passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor, and now subject to the Peoples' Veto, makes some fundamental changes to Maine law. For example, it deletes from state law the following, existing statute: 'The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.' "I am sure they have a spiritual basis for wanting this passage to be deleted from state law... perhaps they can further explain that." "But as the No on 1 campaign trumpets a few faith leaders supporting their side today, I can't help but be stunned by our opposition's sheer hypocrisy of the very basis for their press conferences today. "When churches and faith leaders on our side of the debate speak up and get engaged in this Question -- as 340 faith leaders did when they sent a letter to the governor opposing LD 1020 -- our opponents file complaints, question whether it is appropriate activity and in some cases call for the tax exempt statuses of the churches to be revoked. Yet, when a few churches on their side get involved, they trumpet it as an exceptional event, worthy of great notice across the state. "Question 1 is about the definition of marriage, plain and simple. If it fails, and homosexual marriage is legalized in Maine, it will have great consequence for society, particularly for those who conscientiously object to this new definition. If what has happened in other states is any guide, children will be taught in public schools that "same-sex marriage" is the same as traditional marriage. Advocates for this agenda will fight to even prevent parents from having advance notice of such instruction, or from having the right to withhold their children from such teaching. "As legal scholars have pointed out, including even some who support same sex marriage, it will lead to a flood of litigation against small businesses and individuals who refuse their services based on moral objection to the law. And it will undermine the very fabric of Maine society. "The values behind the effort to change the definition of marriage into a genderless contract that places adult-centric interests before the optimal outcomes for children are not values that are shared by the majority of Mainers, religious or otherwise." SOURCE Stand for Marriage Maine
