SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN
WHEREAS American society historically has recognized the sanctity of marriage between man and woman as central to the stability of our nation and its moral posture; and
WHEREAS this rational moral view is now threatened by current trends that seek to distort this view toward acceptance of unions that stand directly opposed to Scriptural directives; and
WHEREAS many state and national leaders presently are seeking to reaffirm through legislative decrees and public statements our historic stand on the sanctity of marriage between man and woman; and
WHEREAS the Church of God from its beginning has understood the Biblical model of marriage to be a sacred union between man and woman; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has continued to affirm this basic belief through a practical commitment regarding moral purity which condemns homosexuality as a fleshly behavior and sinful practice; and
WHEREAS the Church of God has further affirmed the sanctity of marriage between man and woman through a practical commitment addressing family responsibility by declaring, “Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union in which man and woman are joined by God to live together as one”; and
WHEREAS it is imperative that the Church of God now enter the arena of public debate concerning this ever-increasing threat to the sanctity of marriage between man and woman;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the 66th General Assembly of the Church of God, do reaffirm our commitment to the Word of God and its ever-present defense of marriage as a holy and sacred union between one man and one woman; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we do hereby state our opposition to the rising trend toward legitimizing homosexual unions; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we encourage our members to help preserve marriage as a sacred union between man and woman by living lives that model commitment to the Word of God, exemplify devotion to moral purity, and celebrate family responsibility (66th A., 1996, pp. 64, 65).
