MEDIA ADVISORY, June 22 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by the Evangelical Church Alliance International, Committee on Church and Society, on the Presidential Proclamation designating June, 2009 as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, 2009":
Since time immemorial the union of one man and one woman bonded as husband and wife has been the unique building block of civilization. As such, marriage is virtually timeless and universal. Christians believe the Creator ordained this union as part of His grand plan for humankind throughout the ages. (Genesis 2:24)
This exclusive union of husband and wife enriches each individual and enhances the general human community by blending the distinct strengths and weaknesses of the two sexes. Scripture, science and observation make plain there are differences between men and women. We also believe marriage provides the only true safety, security and ultimate satisfaction for sexual intimacy.
Biblical and historic Christian moral instruction teach that homosexual orientation does not comport with God's will or order for human sexuality and that homosexual acts violate God's moral law (Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22, Deuteronomy 23:17, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
This violation rules out intimate sexual relationships between persons of the same-sex. Additional Biblical and Christian moral instruction rules out any intimate sexual relationship outside of marriage. The International Board of Directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance maintain that marriage is a divinely ordered institution reserved for one man and one woman to form an exclusive and ideally permanent spiritual, emotional, physical and legal bond (Mark10:9).
For these reasons and others, the Evangelical Church Alliance objects, with all due respect, to the proclamation by President Barack Obama designating the month of June, 2009, as "LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009."
Furthermore, the officers and directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance express grave concern that the President has stated his intention to oppose and repeal current statutory restrictions baring openly homosexual persons from serving in the military, commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The entire legislative history of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" shows allowing openly homosexual personnel to serve in the unique military environment with its lack of privacy in close quarters raises personal and organizational concerns and would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline. The nature of our current and dangerous and restricted conditions with limited privacy heightens those concerns. In addition, the President's proclamation could lead to pressure for children, church members and clergy to conform to the popular notion that homosexuality is normal, must be accepted and affirmed and that registering a different opinion is in some way unacceptable. These outcomes would be a violation of First Amendment rights of every American to freedom of speech, the free expression of religion and/or freedom of assembly.
We urge the President, the Congress and the Judiciary to do everything within their powers to guarantee every American his or her right to embrace historic and religious beliefs on human sexuality and to freely practice them without prejudice, intimidation or restraint.
The Evangelical Church Alliance (ECA) International is one of America's oldest associations of independent evangelical clergy, churches and institutions. It maintains headquarters in Bradley, Illinois.
