Teaching about Marriage and Divorce
Matthew 19:1 12  (Mk 10. 1 - 12)

     When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.  Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.  Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, "Is  it lawful for a man to divorce his wife  for any cause?"  He answered, "Have you not read the that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."  They said to Him, Why then did Moses command  us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?"  He said to them, "It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.  And I say to you, Whoever divorces his wife except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery."
     His disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry."  But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given..  For there are Eunuchs who have been born from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuch by others, and there are eunuchs  who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  Let  anyone accept this who can."

Background:

     A legislative crisis has been brewing in recent months as a result of a court rulings in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.  A handful of Judges have told Canadians and the government that the exclusive definition of marriage as between one man and one woman is "unconstitutional" and that marriage must be redefined as between any two people."
     Elected officials, not by appointed judges, should make decisions regarding marriage.  The federal government should have appealed these ridiculous court rulings.  Not only did they refuse to appeal, they have begun drafting new legislation that reflects the judges' personal opinions dictating same sex "marriages."
     Canadians have been expressing their outrage at such foolish decision-making by the government.  To this point, the democratic wishes of Canadians have been ignored.  However, Parliament will be voting on this legislation, as early as this fall, though perhaps not  till 2004.  That vote is where our elected MPs have an opportunity to do the right thing, the very thing they have been elected to do: represent the views of the people.
     Most Canadians do not want marriage redefined.  They want to preserve the current definition: "between one man and one woman exclusive of all others".  Not only must this definition be preserved; the legislation must be strengthened to ensure courts cannot haphazardly alter it again.  Parliament alone has the power do do that.  It is up to all of us to ensure that our MPs continue to hear from us.
     It is especially crucial that God's people speak out on this issue.  As Billy Graham has said, "Democracy is only as good as the people who get involved."  We are responsible for speaking  the truth in love on this critical issue that will affect Canadians for all future generations.
     You can help get the message across by becoming a par of "Sanctity of Marriage Week."  Join with people of faith from  all denominations across Canada for a public declaration and prayer on  September 7, expressing support for marriage as a sacred institution by God.  This is a critical  moment  for the nation of Canada.  As God's people, let us not neglect our calling  to defend righteousness.  Let us stand together in support for the holy institution of  marriage.
                                    Is. 60: 1 - 3 Arise, Shine, for your light has come.......
     The institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman is under attach by courts, activists and the federal government.  It is the responsibility of the church to proclaim the truth by defending the biblical definition of the institution of marriage.
     We invite you to join with others across Canada in defending the institution of marriage, so that future generations will be grateful that God's people stood here and now for that which is most precious - our faith and our family.

What your can do:

Speak out:  Call, write, or visit your MP and ask him or her to protect the current definition of marriage.  As your friends to do the same thing.  Christians of all denominations, Jews and others express support marriage as a sacred institution ordained by God, a voluntary, life-long covenant between on man and one woman.  Join millions in a united voice, declaring that the desecration of the sacred institution of 'marriage' will not be accepted and will  not go unchallenged  by the church. 
     For the address of your local constituency office, check your telephone directory.  If you don't know your MP's name or riding, visit: www.sanctityofmarriage.ca or call Elections Canada at: 1-800-463-6868.

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