http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=29172
R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Posted on Oct 21, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Human society is a complex reality, but certain
constants have framed that reality for human beings. One of those constants
has been the institution of marriage. The respected status of the
heterosexual pairing, set apart for exclusive rights and respected for its
functions for the society, is among the most important of those constants.
Even where deviations from this pattern occur, they are of interest merely
for the fact that they are deviations from this norm.
The legalization and normalization of "same-sex marriage" undermine that
constant. What had been a clear picture now becomes confusing. Marriage had
been universally understood to be heterosexual. Now, it is something else.
The picture is further confused by alienating the heterosexual breeding and
parenting function from marriage. Not only does marriage appear now to be
what it never was before, the essential functions of marriage are up for
grabs.
The pictures in the mind change. The pictures in books for children change.
Mommy and Daddy give way to Mommy and Mommy, Daddy and Daddy, or any number
of variations on the relationship theme. Marriage is dethroned as a cultural
constant and even as a predictable reality. The institution of marriage is
destabilized and transformed before our eyes -- and especially in the eyes
of the young.
Keep that in mind when you consider a recent public school field trip for
first-graders in San Francisco. Here is the shape of the future -- if
"same-sex marriage" is sustained. As the San Francisco Chronicle reports:
"A group of San Francisco first-graders took an unusual field trip to City
Hall on Friday to toss rose petals on their just-married lesbian teacher --
putting the public school children at the center of a fierce election battle
over the fate of same-sex marriage.
"The 18 Creative Arts Charter School students took a Muni bus and walked a
block at noon to toss rose petals and blow bubbles on their just-married
teacher Erin Carder and her wife Kerri McCoy, giggling and squealing as they
mobbed their teacher with hugs.
"Mayor Gavin Newsom, a friend of a friend, officiated."
So a class of six-year-olds was taken on a field trip to join in celebrating
a "same-sex marriage" ceremony. Liz Jaroflow, interim director of the
school, defended the field trip as an educational experience. As she
explained, "It really is what we call a teachable moment." She went on to
explain that the educational value had to do with the legitimization of
"same-sex marriage" as a civil rights issue. "I think I am well within the
parameters," she insisted.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's not controversial for me," she stated. "It's
certainly an issue I would be willing to put my job on the line for." Well,
in San Francisco her job is probably safe. But this "teachable moment" will
not be restricted to San Francisco. Not by a long shot.
It turns out that parents had the right to use an "opt out" provision to
keep their children at the school. According to the paper, two families did
just that. Two. Eighteen students participated in the field trip. This, you
must understand, is the new normal.
California voters have the opportunity to defend and restore marriage in
their state by approving "Proposition 8" on Nov. 4. That proposition would
define marriage as the union of a man and a woman -- period. At least one of
the children at the downtown ceremony wore a "No on 8" button to the event.
The charter school used children as campaign fodder.
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