“As California goes, so goes the nation.”

Click here for an extended, more thorough version of this post.

Beginning on September 24^th many Christians and churches across California entered a season of 40 days of prayer and fasting. Why? Because these are desperate times.

The Issue

On March 7, 2000, 61% of Californians voted that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman. However May 15, 2008 four activist judges overturned this vote deeming it in violation of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. No one thought that this election year God would be moving the Church to take a stand for the truth in such a way. Now, Prop 8 is on the ballot. Prop 8 seeks to amend the California Constitution to include the phrase, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

The Heart & Focus of TheCall

During these 40 days, Christians are joining with TheCall in prayer and fasting for the Church and the nation.

Ramifications of a no vote on Prop 8

There is much at stake on the November ballot. The redefinition of marriage will not only affect California, as TheCall so poignantly puts it “As California goes, so goes the nation.” The redefining of marriage will have sweeping consequences. We have already seen this in countries and states that have redefined marriage. Pastors have been imprisoned for preaching their biblical views on homosexuality, Christian adoption agencies have shut their doors rather than compromise their beliefs, parents have been denied the right for parental notification to opt their child out when homosexual viewpoints are being taught in school, and the list goes on. This will not only affect California, but the whole country.

Here are five consequences is the vote fails, as noted by WhatisProp8.com:

1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage.

2. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines.

What the Church Needs to Know to Respond

• First, the Church needs to boldly speak the truth.
• Second, the Church must boldly speak the truth in love.
• Third, the Church must repent of its own sin.
• Fourth, the Church must have a correct understanding of sin.

Ways to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved even if you are not part of the Church in California. You can join us in prayer, repentance, and fasting. You can speak the truth on the biblical perspective of marriage in a loving, Christ-like manner. You can educate others on the issue and its ramifications. You can encourage others to pray, get involved, or vote.

Resources

• TheCall – www.thecall.com

• I Protect Marriage – www.iprotectmarriage.com

• What is Prop 8? - http://whatisprop8.com

• Protect Marriage – www.protectmarriage.com

• Exodus International – www.exodus-international.org

• Responding to Pro-Gay Theology (Joe Dallas) – www.leaderu.com/jhs/dallas.html

• How Then Should We Respond? Developing an Effective Answer to the Gay Rights Movement (Joe Dallas) - www.joedallas.com/resources/How Should We Then Respond-Article.pdf