o'change - Marriage affirmed abroad and challenged at home

I just returned from Amsterdam where I attended the World Congress of Families' 5th global gathering. The World Congress is a group that is committed to preserving the institution of the family. This year, leaders from more than 60 countries were in attendance, including many representatives from developing nations. These countries are beginning to experience the fallout from loans granted them by the United Nations, often in the form of pressure to adopt pro-abortion and pro-homosexual policies. In light of this, it was especially important that the World Congress of Families affirmed the natural family and the importance of religion.

Watch the latest Focus Action Update in which Stuart Shepard and Tom Minnery discuss the court challenges to marriage, as well as the World Congress of Families.

Here at home though, marriage continues to face significant legal challenges. President Obama's Justice Department is in federal court trying to defend the law that prevents states from having to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The White House recognizes that the law is constitutional and it's fully appropriate that it is defended. This law, called the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is the dam that's holding back the flood of same-sex marriages everywhere.

But President Obama has also pledged to repeal the law. So the attorneys in the Justice Department have watered down their arguments in favor of DOMA. In other words, they are pulling their punches on behalf of marriage.

In another federal court there is yet another challenge to marriage--specifically, California's Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Though traditional marriage seems to be facing yet another "David and Goliath" situation, we believe that marriage will ultimately be upheld when this case winds its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch our latest Focus Action Update. And if you haven't already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to our Focus on the Family Citizen® magazine that will keep you abreast of important news and help you make your voice heard on behalf of the family.

Thank you for your commitment to family and marriage between a man and a woman.

For faith and family,
Tom Minnery, Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy

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