The Homosexual Agenda: The Principal Threat to Your Religious Freedom
For news and information on the lawsuit over the California marriage amendment, visit the Perry v. Brown resource page.
Religious Freedom
Sanctity of Life
The homosexual legal agenda is one of the greatest threats to religious freedom in America today. For decades, radical activists, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its allies, have tried to divorce America from its Christian heritage and values. Their strategy is twofold: dilute moral values so that homosexual behavior is thought to be normal, natural, and good, while suppressing the religious and free speech rights of those who disagree. If they successfully impose their radical legal agenda, then all people – especially Christians – who do not affirm homosexual behavior could be silenced, punished, and possibly even jailed for so-called discrimination and intolerance.
“There can be a conflict between religious liberty and sexual liberty, but in almost all cases,
the sexual liberty should win because that’s the only way that the dignity of gay people can be affirmed in any realistic manner.”
– Chai Feldblum, former ACLU attorney, now Commissioner of the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Christians know that marriage was created by God as the union between one man and one woman. And from this sacred institution comes the natural family, which is the building block of society and the most favorable environment for children. In spite of this, advocates for same-sex “marriage” demand that their behavior be normalized, treated the same as a marriage, and promoted by law. Should such laws take effect across the nation, then religious liberty – as Ms. Feldblum points out – must give way to the new laws protecting same-sex “marriages.” This is not merely a theory. For example, after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court fabricated a right to same-sex “marriage,” Catholic Charities was presented with the choice: either allow same-sex couples to adopt, or close their doors. Rather than compromise its core beliefs, that organization chose the latter.
As many ADF cases show, Christian views on marriage and human sexuality will be challenged if same-sex “marriage” is accepted by law. If this happens and God’s plan for marriage is dismantled, then your religious freedom – and the God-given, constitutionally protected rights that enable you to freely live out your faith – will virtually collapse.
“[You should] fight for same-sex marriage and its benefits, and then, once granted, redefine the institution of marriage entirely.
The most subversive action lesbians and gay men can undertake is to transform the notion of ‘family’ entirely.”
-Michelangelo Signorile, Homosexual Activist
Protecting the Institution of Marriage
The epicenter of the marriage battle right now is the Perry v. Brown case in California. When 7 million Californians cast their votes for Proposition 8 to uphold the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman in the state constitution, they thought they had protected marriage once and for all. But shortly thereafter, a handful of radical activists filed this federal lawsuit in an attempt to overturn the marriage amendment and nullify the votes of the people. That’s not all activists did to threaten and silence Proposition 8 supporters. The Perry case came about only after opponents of Proposition 8 had tried to thwart the amendment’s enactment by threatening Proposition 8 supporters with death, vandalizing their personal property, and spray-painting profanity on their churches. Not exactly the pretty picture of “tolerance” that homosexual activists like to paint.
In a dangerous decision that could ultimately threaten your religious freedom, the federal judge ruled that California’s voter-approved constitutional amendment protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman was unconstitutional. But, despite this disappointing ruling, the battle is far from over.
ADF and our allies will appeal the Perry case – all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary – as the final outcome could have serious implications for marriage and religious freedom not only in California, but in all 50 states. This is exactly what these radical activists want – to take away the people’s right to express their will regarding the future of marriage. The greatest risk will be to the 45 states where citizens have already established laws or constitutional amendments that preserve religious freedom by keeping the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Of course, Perry is not the only challenge to marriage. There are many other active cases, and by God’s grace, ADF has won 42 out of the 53 marriage cases litigated to conclusion. That includes triumphs in six states where constitutional marriage amendments had been previously challenged in courts, like in California. And regardless of the future outcome of Perry, ADF will continue to defend marriage and religious freedom across America.
The opposition relentlessly advances its legal agenda to eradicate religious freedom, which is why we must be even more devoted to defending marriage between one man and one woman. The ramifications of same-sex “marriage” are simply too devastating not to faithfully persevere.
The Ramifications of Same-sex "Marriage" and the Homosexual Legal Agenda
There is no doubt that God’s plan for marriage is under an all-out, full-scale attack by advocates of same-sex “marriage” and the homosexual legal agenda. Here is a glimpse of just a few ADF cases that show the serious ramifications for Christians if the opposition succeeds in their efforts:
- A young Christian photographer was reported to the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission, tried, found guilty, and ordered to pay nearly $7,000 in attorneys’ fees after she respectfully declined to photograph the "commitment ceremony" of a same-sex couple – despite the fact that neither same-sex "marriage" nor "civil unions" are legal in New Mexico.
- A Methodist camp meeting association in New Jersey, which politely refused a request to host a same-sex couple’s “civil union ceremony” in its worship pavilion, now faces charges before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights – charges that could force this religious organization to host these ceremonies, even though they directly conflict with its religious faith.
- A licensed counselor in Georgia was fired after following her professional ethics and referring to a colleague a person seeking counsel for a same-sex relationship.
- A church in Montana had to go to federal court to stop state persecution after it allowed citizens to circulate petitions for a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage to be between one man and one woman.
These efforts by the opposition to thwart religious freedom are just the tip of the iceberg. The attacks on Christians who boldly speak up and live out their faith go on and on. Clearly, the homosexual agenda is at odds with religious freedom.
But while mainstream media may try to mislead Americans into believing that same-sex “marriage” is inevitable, it is not. The majority of Americans oppose it, and ADF has a track record of winning nearly 80 percent of all marriage cases litigated to conclusion.
Defending Marriage and the Family Together
Together, we must protect God’s plan for marriage and the family. The Alliance Defense Fund is uniquely positioned to provide effective and successful legal protection for the Body of Christ through the efforts of ADF in-house attorneys who work together with our alliance of nearly 2,100 attorneys. With a winning combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation, ADF has defended many of the most significant, precedent-setting cases threatening your religious freedom over the past 17 years.
The task before us is monumental, and the battle for marriage is terribly long and costly. But with the prayers and financial support of Christians like you, we will continue to defend marriage and religious freedom in America – and by God’s grace, we will win! (John 15:5)
THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today
A Book by Alan Sears, ADF president, CEO, and general counsel, and Craig Osten, ADF vice-president of research
The Homosexual Agenda is an eye-opening book that outlines a 15-year strategy to institutionalize same-sex “marriage” in the United States. The primary aim of the homosexual agenda is to “trump” the rights of all other groups, especially those of people of faith. This book carefully and studiously explains their methods, while offering solutions on how you can help defend marriage in America.
Get informed and make a difference for religious freedom today!
