Thanks to your prayers, God has allowed ADF lawyers and allies to step into the legal battle for marriage. And thanks to your support, we are winning!
In just the last few years, we have reversed more than 7,000 artificially created same-sex "marriages" in California and Oregon, prevailed in fights over the definition of marriage, and protected the constitutional rights of the
people – not judges – to decide this issue.
On Friday, God granted the latest victory for marriage.
In Rhode Island, activists were attempting to legitimize same-sex “marriage” through the avenue of “divorce.” Two women, both residents of Rhode Island, obtained a “marriage” license in Massachusetts in May, 2004. They then sought a “divorce” in Rhode Island. If the court would have given in to this demand, the definition of marriage in Rhode Island could have been radically altered –
without legislative or voter input. But praise God, their attempt failed!
The Supreme Court of Rhode Island ruled on Friday that the term “marriage,” according to state law, means a union between
one man and one woman. Therefore, the lower state court did not have the authority to consider a petition for a same-sex “divorce.”
“Not only is today’s ruling a victory for marriage, it’s also a tremendous step forward against judicial activism,” said Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks.
“Rhode Island’s highest court acknowledged that it is the role of the legislature, and not the judiciary, to establish public policy.” A full copy of the ruling issued by the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in the case
Chambers v. Ormiston can be read at
www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ChambersRuling.pdf.
With this win, the track record of ADF supported and/or litigated cases to protect God's plan for marriage stands as follows:
- 38 cases fought in the courts
- 35 decided
- 32 WINS
- 1 loss
- 2 "ties"
For more detail see the marriage map (does not yet include Friday’s victory).
Thanks to God for this tremendous victory.
And thanks to you for your
continued support. Your commitment enables us to stand in the courtroom and defend marriage, and no words express our gratitude.
Prayer for ColoradoMany have heard about the two horrible tragedies which occurred over the weekend in Arvada and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Let us join together in prayer for all the families affected by these senseless acts, and for all of our brothers and sisters in churches and ministries across our land, for protection, for proper response -- that we might all be a witness of the light and love of Christ, and for confidence in God above all else.