Westwood Word WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN Stand Up For Marriage Vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8th In recent years, the definition of marriage in our country has become a passionate topic of debate at both the state and federal levels. On its surface, the debate may seem straight forward, yet the issues and consequences surrounding the definition of marriage are much more complex than many of us may think. Marriage is under attack, and the battle has now come to North Carolina. On May 8, North Carolina voters will have the opportunity to preserve the definition of marriage in our state by voting YES on the Marriage Protection Amendment. The threat to our state’s definition of marriage is real. In fact, North Carolina is the only remaining southern state that has not protected the definition of marriage in its constitution. As we have seen happen in other states, the first of what will be many lawsuits was filed in North Carolina challenging our marriage laws in December of 2011. Each of these lawsuits demands that the definition of marriage for everyone be permanently changed to suit the needs of just one same-sex couple. The lawsuit filed in Guilford County, is just another example of why the Marriage Protection Amendment is needed and should be passed by North Carolina voters in May. If activist judges or politicians were to succeed in redefining marriage in North Carolina in the future, there would be profound consequences for religious organizations, individuals, medical professionals, and small businesses —and for society itself. Contrary to what some people think, same-sex ‘marriage’ would not exist in the law alongside traditional marriage; as if it were a different expression of the same marriage institution they have always known. Marriage will be redefined for everyone. Our historic understanding of marriage as the union of one man and one woman would be replaced by a new paradigm for marriage as the union of two adults, regardless of gender. This new, redefined version of marriage as a genderless institution would be the only legally recognized definition of marriage in North Carolina. Such a radical change in the definition of marriage will produce a host of societal conflicts that government, exercising its broad enforcement powers, will have to resolve. Citizens, small businesses and religious organizations whose own beliefs, traditions, morals or ethnic upbringing are at odds with the new definition of marriage will find themselves subjected to legal consequences if they do not act according to the new legal definition. When Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, schools began teaching second graders that boys can marry other boys. The courts ruled that parents had no right to object. Unless the NC Marriage Protection Amendment passes, North Carolina may compel public schools to teach children there is no difference between traditional marriage and same-sex marriage. (Source: www.voteformarriagenc.com) Perhaps most importantly, shifting the focus of our marriage laws away from the interests of children and society as a whole, and onto the desires of the adults involved in a same-sex relationship will result in the most profound long-term consequences. Such a paradigm shift says to children that mothers and fathers don’t matter (especially fathers) – any two “parents” will do. It proclaims the false notion that a man can be a mother and a woman can be a father – that men and women are exactly the same in rearing children. When marriage ceases to have its historic meaning and understanding, over time fewer and fewer people will marry. We will have an inevitable increase in children born out of wedlock, an increase in fatherlessness, a resulting increase in female and child poverty, and a higher incidence of all the documented social ills associated with children being raised in a home without their married biological parents. The North Carolina Marriage Protection Amendment says simply and powerfully: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” (Continued on page 3) April Midmonth 2012 Volume 12 issue 4
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FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN
Stand Up For Marriage
Vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8th
In recent years, the definition of marriage in our country has become a passionate topic of debate at
both the state and federal levels. On its surface, the debate may seem straight forward, yet the
issues and consequences surrounding the definition of marriage are much more complex than many
of us may think.
Marriage is under attack, and the battle has now come to North Carolina. On May 8, North
Carolina voters will have the opportunity to preserve the definition of marriage in our state by
voting YES on the Marriage Protection Amendment. The threat to our state’s definition of
marriage is real. In fact, North Carolina is the only remaining southern state that has not protected
the definition of marriage in its constitution. As we have seen happen in other states, the first of
what will be many lawsuits was filed in North Carolina challenging our marriage laws in December
of 2011. Each of these lawsuits demands that the definition of marriage for everyone be
permanently changed to suit the needs of just one same-sex couple. The lawsuit filed in Guilford
County, is just another example of why the Marriage Protection Amendment is needed and should
be passed by North Carolina voters in May. If activist judges or politicians were to succeed in
redefining marriage in North Carolina in the future, there would be profound consequences for
religious organizations, individuals, medical professionals, and small businesses—and for society
itself.
Contrary to what some people think, same-sex ‘marriage’ would not exist in the law alongside
traditional marriage; as if it were a different expression of the same marriage institution they have
always known. Marriage will be redefined for everyone. Our historic understanding of marriage as
the union of one man and one woman would be replaced by a new paradigm for marriage as the
union of two adults, regardless of gender.
This new, redefined version of marriage as a genderless institution would be the only legally
recognized definition of marriage in North Carolina. Such a radical change in the definition of
marriage will produce a host of societal conflicts that government, exercising its broad enforcement
powers, will have to resolve. Citizens, small businesses and religious organizations whose own
beliefs, traditions, morals or ethnic upbringing are at odds with the new definition of marriage will
find themselves subjected to legal consequences if they do not act according to the new legal
definition.
When Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, schools began teaching second graders that boys can
marry other boys. The courts ruled that parents had no right to object. Unless the NC Marriage
Protection Amendment passes, North Carolina may compel public schools to teach children there is
no difference between traditional marriage and same-sex marriage. (Source:
www.voteformarriagenc.com)
Perhaps most importantly, shifting the focus of our marriage laws away from the interests of
children and society as a whole, and onto the desires of the adults involved in a same-sex
relationship will result in the most profound long-term consequences. Such a paradigm shift says to
children that mothers and fathers don’t matter (especially fathers) – any two “parents” will do. It
proclaims the false notion that a man can be a mother and a woman can be a father – that men and
women are exactly the same in rearing children.
When marriage ceases to have its historic meaning and understanding, over time fewer and fewer
people will marry. We will have an inevitable increase in children born out of wedlock, an increase
in fatherlessness, a resulting increase in female and child poverty, and a higher incidence of all the
documented social ills associated with children being raised in a home without their married
biological parents.
The North Carolina Marriage Protection Amendment says simply and powerfully: “Marriage
between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or
recognized in this State.”
(Continued on page 3)
April Midmonth
2012
Volume 12 issue 4
Page 2
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Page 3
Children's Ministry Needs Please contact Brinn Clayton to volunteer (504-2449 or [email protected])
Preschool Greeter: The greeter will stand in the hall from 10:15-10:35 to assist arriving families and volunteers.. Sunday School teachers: Two teachers are needed for the 2 & 3 year old class. Preschool Worship Volunteer: This person should be willing to work only one Sunday
(continued from page 1)
God himself is the author of marriage. He gave marriage as a gift,
as a sacred covenant institution for our health, our happiness, for
human flourishing and for His glory. Beyond this we understand
marriage is a picture of Christ’s covenant relationship with His
church. I believe that most of us know and understand these
truths. I also believe we know what happens when marriage is
marginalized. We see it unfolding before our eyes everyday. It
can only lead to unhappiness, unhealthiness, and the unraveling
of human relationships.
In a world where people are more and more prone to do
“whatever is right in their own eyes,” as opposed to what God
declares is right in His Word, we need to protect traditional mar-
riage, and supporting this amendment is a key step towards this
protection!
As with all issues such as this, ultimately it is a spiritual battle
that is fought first and foremost on our knees. Pray for the fami-
lies of our church and our community. Pray for those in govern-
ment who lead us, that they will do so according to God’s truth
and with His wisdom. Pray for the grace and compassion to
reach out in love to those who are deceived by the enemy’s lies
and entrapped in a lifestyle of sin.
I will be saying much more in the weeks to come about this
amendment and how we as Christians should be involved in this
process.
I love you and I look forward to seeing you and worshipping with
you as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We are at a the beginning of our mowing sea-son and need people who will commit to being on our team. Thank you to the teams who did such an awesome job last year. We will have a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center. Please sign up if you want to be part of this team this year. Contact Bill Maloney, Craig Hoxie or Gar DeHoog with questions.
Our Known April Birthday
15 Samuel Day 16 Hope Barbar 18 Sarah Bridges 19 F.O. Clayton 20 Michael Gray 20 Jennifer Villeda 21 Sheila Stover 22 Nicole Stepp 25 Richard Overgard 26 Dustin Harris 26 Blake Whitt 27 Ryan Hutchins 29 Shawn Lakey 30 Darien Coleman
970 L
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Phone: 336-5
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982
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nc.
net
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Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the
peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and
sing for joy. Psalm 67:3-4
There are thank you cards on the bulletin board out-
side of the church office . Please stop by and read