DELAWARE FAMILY POLICY COUNCIL: THE (DIS)RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT IS NOT RESPECTFUL

BY NICOLE THEIS

Republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, & research purposes.

SEE ALSO: https://thenewamerican.com/red-state-voters-opposed-to-respect-for-marriage-act/?mc_cid=d70c4ece82

AND: https://thenewamerican.com/respect-for-marriage-act-one-step-away-from-becoming-law

Cyber-Monday... While many of us are looking for deals and preparing for Christmas, Democrat leaders in Washington are working aggressively to pass the worst attack against religious liberty.

Delaware's Congressional representation - Senators Coons and Carper, and Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester - have voiced their full support for HR 8404, the so-called Respect for Marriage Act.
SUPER IMPORTANT, PLEASE KEEP READING - BE INFORMED
This federal legislation, the 'Dis'Respect for Marriage Act allows churches and religious organizations to be targeted for adhering to the Biblical definition of marriage.
TARGETED! HOW?
By now, you've probably received multiple messages about this federal bill; our national allies have been sounding the alarm. Here's why:
The 'Dis'Respect for Marriage Act: 

  • Further embeds a false definition of marriage in the American legal fabric.
  • Opens the door to federal recognition of polygamous relationships.
  • Opens the door for the IRS to deprive churches and religious organizations of their tax-exempt status.
  • Makes religious organizations and businesses a target for lawsuits based on their belief about marriage.
  • Claims to respect the beliefs of religious entities on marriage, but does nothing to protect the right to act on that belief.
It's Blatant. The sponsors of this act are not hiding their agenda. 
Learn more here from our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom about why this bill must be voted down in the Senate today.
Senators Carper and Coons and Rep. Blunt-Rochester have been including false statements in their responses to Delaware constituents. Here are examples:
LIE #1: "The bill is quite limited in scope. If the Supreme Court were to overturn its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Respect for Marriage Act would not require any state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples."

TRUTH: This bill is not limited; it has massive implications for religious organizations. Because states currently recognize same-sex unions as marriages, this bill basically guarantees that individuals, religious organizations, and faith-based entities including churches, will be penalized for not complying by adhering to the Biblical, traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
LIE #2: "The Respect for Marriage Act does not require any religious institution to perform or sanctify marriages that violate its teachings."

TRUTH: But it does - because those that do not comply can be sued for being in violation of this Act. THERE ARE NO PROTECTIONS.

The supporters of the bill made clear that religious organizations are the target. They rejected a proposed amendment to protect religious organizations. Instead, they passed a weaker amendment that merely pays lip service to religious liberty, but does nothing to prevent the lawsuits that are sure to come.
LIE #3: Religious organizations are safe from having their tax-exempt status taken even if they fail to comply with the Respect for Marriage Act.

TRUTH:  The 'Dis'Respect for Marriage Act frames the adherence to Biblical, traditional marriage as discrimination - thus leaving the door wide open for the IRS to revoke tax-exempt statuses from religious organizations that do not comply with this Act in their organizational support for the Biblical definition of marriage. 
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
🌑 Talk about it! Use this as an opportunity to educate - that means speaking the truth to Senators Coons and Carper, and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

🌑 Support our work. We are often the first call for counsel when organizations in our state are being threatened.
We're in this together. When people stand with courage, we stand with them and offer support and resources.
Here's My Giving Tuesday Gift!
 🔥 During this time of unprecedented attacks on religious liberty, it will take strategic resistance on the state level to defend our rights.

  • Your support allows us to be vigilant, recognizing the danger when it comes and alerting people like you.
  • Your support allows us to create easy and effective ways for thousands to take action.
  • Your support allows us to bring in national experts to defend our faith, family, and freedom in the court system.
  • Your support allows us to stand with those who are acting with courage and conviction in Delaware.
Here's My Giving Tuesday Gift!
...From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'  'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

Mark 10:6-9
For Faith, Families, and Freedom,
Nicole
Nicole Theis
President
Delaware Family Policy Council
Delaware Strong Families
P.S. Contact Senators Carper and Coons today; they need to know that they are NOT representing their constituents by supporting HR 8404, which is an egregious violation of religious liberty. 

Be the voice of conscience to our Federal representatives, letting them know that there are still people in Delaware who unashamedly stand on God's definition of marriage.
Forward to a friend!

Our mailing address is:

Delaware Family Policy Council

P.O. Box 925

Seaford, DE 19973

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