Marriage is not what the Supreme Court says it is

Jun 26, 2015 | 2 comments

Pennsylvania Family Institute will continue to stand for marriage between man and woman.

(Harrisburg, PA) June 26, 2015 – Today, in a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for states to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  There is nothing in the Constitution or its amendments that requires this result, which flies in the face of centuries of practice in this nation and millennia of human history.

With today’s decision, the Court inflicted further damage to our system of government by ruling directly against the express will and votes of the people or their elected representatives in the vast majority of the states, including Pennsylvania.

“This activist decision in no way settles the issue, as some might suggest or wish,” said Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute.  “Marriage is not the creation of government. Rather, governments worldwide recognize its existence and promote it because of the benefits that accrue to children and society— thanks to the unique, complementary bond between a man and woman as husband and wife.”  “Therefore no entity, not even our Supreme Court, can redefine what marriage truly is,” added Geer.

Marriage is society’s best way to ensure the well being of children. State recognition of marriage protects children by encouraging men and women to commit to each other—and to take responsibility for their children.

Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife, as well as to be father and mother to any children their union produces. Marriage is based on the anthropological truth that men and woman are distinct and complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the social reality that children deserve a mother and a father.

Redefining marriage to make it a genderless institution fundamentally changes marriage: It makes the relationship more about the desires of adults than about the needs—or rights—of children. It teaches the lie that mothers and fathers are interchangeable.

Pennsylvania Family Institute has long stood in support of protecting and strengthening marriage and families by promoting reform to no-fault divorce, holding marriage seminars and retreats, encouraging responsible fatherhood and educating lawmakers and the public about the benefits of marriage between one man and one woman.

“Our work to promote and protect the true institution of marriage will not stop because we have not lost sight of the truth that every child deserves a mom and a dad, and marriage is the best, most effective way to bring us as close as possible to that goal,” said Geer.