It’s election season, and I have to confess that I’ve been looking at the yard signs around Kenbridge lately. With all the normal red and blue signage for the major candidates, a few yellow and black signs have caught my attention, saying things like, “Yes 4 Marriage” and “Virginia 4 Marriage.” All these signs make reference to a Virginia constitutional amendment vote coming up in November during the general elections. I confessed that at first I was somewhat ignorant, and thought, “I need to check into this… is someone trying to get rid of marriage?”
When I received a form letter from Jerry Falwell in the church PO Box (which, strangely enough considering my theological position, happens pretty often), my interest was even more piqued. I went online and did some preliminary study, but other things kept my attention so I decided I’d come back to the issue later.
Then a couple of weeks ago, as I studied during one of the more quiet parts of the day (while the girls are asleep), I heard feet on the steps outside, then someone pounded on the door and rang the doorbell several times. I jumped up quickly – first, because the manner of the knocking made me wonder if someone was in trouble to come so violently to my door. Second, I knew the ruckus might wake the girls. So I ran to the door… only to find there, in the middle of a pouring rain, an honest and sincere man in a cowboy hat.
He introduced himself and we talked briefly, then he put a manila envelope in my hands. “I’m here on behalf of the Virginia For Marriage group, and they asked me to go around handing out these Pastor’s Packets.” Considering the name of the group, I had the feeling I knew which side of the fence he stood on. I wanted to ask him to talk to me a little about it, but we were both cold and wet by now, and I didn’t want to invite him in because the girls were asleep. So I thanked him, said something along the lines of, “Thanks… can’t guarantee I’ll use all this stuff, but I’ll certainly read it.” He looked at me uncertainly as we shook hands, then glanced back over his shoulder a couple of times as he went back down the sidewalk.
I came to the office later in the afternoon and pulled the packet out. I scanned it. I looked more closely at some parts. In many places I saw lists of things the amendment would do. Most of them were something along the lines of, “Limit marriage to one man and one woman,” “protect the institution of marriage from activist judges who would try to legislate from the bench” (somewhere I’ve seen this exact language before, I just can’t remember where). They were also careful to show that the amendment won’t “take away existing rights from anyone,” that it won’t affect wills, employment benefits, or agreements between unmarried individuals. I assumed (rightly, it turns out) that these statements were in response to the claims of the amendment’s opponents.
There was a letter from Liberty University’s legal counsel, explaining that it was legal for churches to work in favor of this amendment (nowhere saying it was OK to speak against it). Accordingly, there were also bulletin inserts, links to sermons, a letter declaring Nov. 5 as “Marriage Protection Sunday,” and an “Adopt a Precinct” program whereby a church can agree to be active in their area promoting the passage of the amendment.
I looked far and wide through the packet for the actual wording of the amendment. It was hard to find. On one brochure, in the tiniest font used in the entire 10-page packet – almost an afterthought – was the wording of the amendment itself:
That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities or effects of marriage.
I couldn’t help but feel somewhat insulted. Do these well-meaning folks not trust their readers and constituents to be able to read this proposed amendment for themselves? I could look it up on the internet for myself, but I imagine that many other people just look at the interpretation and never think to see what the original says. Sure, give me your interpretation of it, but at least let me see the information for myself!
I’m still mulling the matter over a few days later when I get a phone call at the church office. On the other end is a more softly-spoken member of the same group, telling me about the amendment and what it will do. Thinking this is simply a grass-roots phone campaign, I listen patiently, and learn a little more about the matter as I hear him explain it. He offers to bring me some information. I offer my thanks for his phone call, but tell him I already have the information I need to make my decision.
Finally, he concludes by asking if he can bring me a packet, some bumper stickers and yard signs to hand out to my congregation. At this point, I realize he’s soliciting me as a pastor. For some reason, this makes me angry. I try to keep calm as I explain that I plan only to make my people aware of the issue and the fact that there’s a vote, and to encourage them to vote their own consciences. I plan to stay neutral on the issue as a pastor.
There is silence on the other end of the line. Finally, as if he hadn’t heard me correctly: “So you plan to be… neutral?”
“Yes, from the pulpit,” I explain. “I have my own personal opinion on the matter, of course. But as a pastor, I don’t feel it’s my place to tell people how to vote. They have minds and spirits – they can decide on this issue for themselves.” Here, I was speaking something I’d never put into words before, but realized this was my stand on the matter.
More silence. Finally, he said, “Well, OK then…” in an uncertain voice that left me feeling he didn’t think too much of my decision. I hung up the phone, wondering whether I might find a big pile of signs on my front yard the next morning.
I can’t get past a couple of points that stick out to me in all this hooplah. First, while I’m certainly no political expert, I can recognize a ploy when I see one. It’s no accident that this issue is coming up at the same time as mid-term elections. Make all the points about the morality of the matter you want, but timing and presentat
ion tell us what’s really going on. Even Jerry Falwell admits this.
Second, I can’t get past the fact that these people who have solicited me – be it by coming to my front door, calling me on the phone, placing yard signs around town, or sending me a form letter – have a certain expectation of me. I’m a pastor, and, like all other folks who work in very visible public positions, I have a little alarm that goes off when I realize someone has placed their expectations on me.
Nowhere in any of this literature or solicitation was I asked, “Have you considered taking this to your congregation?” In no place was there even any room for doubt or question that good Christian pastors might decide NOT to make this a congregational issue. No need to think about this, to look at both sides of the issue. It was just assumed: “Of course you’ll vote for this and encourage other people to as well – we’re all Christians, right?”
My personal feelings on the amendment aside (please know that’s NOT the issue I’m talking about… feel free to ask about my own feelings, which might or might not surprise you): I feel insulted, and I feel that my congregation has been insulted, that someone would ask me to tell them how to vote. God gave all of us brains, and the Holy Spirit works in our lives to convict us and guide us. I am amazed that Baptists – of all denominations – would encourage this kind of activity, considering our strong emphasis on the priesthood of the believer.
If you are a Virginian, I encourage you to VOTE on November 7. Notice, I don’t say “I encourage you to vote YES,” or “I encourage you to vote NO.” Rather, I encourage you to look the matter over thoughtfully and educate yourself, pray over the matter, then vote as you feel God has led you. For education, you can check out both sides of the argument – va4marriage.org, or votenova.org. Or just Google “Virginia marriage amendment” and see what you come up with.
Be informed. Search the scriptures. Ask God to guide your conscience. Then vote. I think that’s a guideline we can all live by, no matter what our political persuasion.
Posted by Jon 
Posted by Jon 
Posted by Jon 