STRAIGHT TALK FROM SCALIA

Speaking at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government yesterday, Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had judicial activism squarely in his scope. Abortion and assisted suicide are issues “too fundamental,” to be decided by judges, the Justice declared.

“What I am questioning is the propriety, indeed the sanity, of having value-laden decisions such as these made for the entire society...by judges,” Scalia commented.

While he didn’t directly address the matter of judicially mandated gay marriage, clearly Scalia’s dictum applies equally here. After all, what is more fundamental to society than the institution of marriage?

For a man who has sat on the highest court in the land for almost two decades, the idea that certain decisions are too basic to be made by judges is a frank admission. Would that some of Scalia’s colleagues shared his humility – and his wisdom – as did our Founding Fathers.

A CANADIAN PATRIOT PASTOR

Patriot Pastors exist wherever men of God are willing to stand up for God’s truth, regardless of the consequences.

The Reverend Lewis H. How, Rector of the Parish of St. George (Anglican Catholic Church of Canada) in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, certainly fits that criteria.

In a September 24^th  letter to the province’s registrar of vital statistics, Rev. How announced that he would no longer act as an agent for registering marriages he had solemnized, to protest the decision of Nova Scotia’s Supreme Court mandating homosexual marriage.

“The illogical and destructive promulgation of ‘same-sex’ marriage is a contradiction in terms, making marriage irrelevant within the institution of government by opening a Pandora’s Box of change that will deconstruct the institution of the family, thereby devastating the bedrock of society for our posterity,” Rev. How wrote.

Rev. How also observed, “Social engineering has reached the nadir of corruption when the highest court in the land blatantly breaks the Constitution to force its agenda upon the people.”

Our neighbor to the north is a bit ahead of us in weird social experiments. (In Canada, it’s currently illegal to say things that promote disdain for homosexuals -- such as may be found in the Bible.) But the U.S. and Canada both suffer from an advanced case of judicial-itis.

Rev. How is a brave man to so publicly and eloquently challenge his nation’s prevailing orthodoxy. Our prayers are with him. You may convey your good wishes by e-mailing him at [email protected]. We hereby confer upon the Reverend How honorary Patriot Pastor status.

 

ACTION TODAY

HOUSE TAKES UP MARRIAGE AMENDMENT TODAY

The U.S. House of Representatives may be voting on the Marriage Protection Amendment (H.J. Res. 106) as you read these words.

The House is scheduled to vote on the Amendment, sponsored by Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, at around 4:30 or 5:00 pm, ET.

A statement by the White House on the measure, issued today, reflects our thinking exactly: “The Administration strongly supports passage of H.J. Res. 106. Marriage is the foundation of society and should not be redefined by a few activist judges and local officials. Without a constitutional amendment, judges and local officials could continue to attempt to redefine marriage in their States. Judges could even strike down the Defense of Marriage Act that was passed by an overwhelming bipartisan margin and declare that same-sex marriages recognized in one State must be recognized as marriages everywhere else.”

This evening, the eyes of the nation will be on the first Presidential Debate. But what happens approximately four hours earlier on the floor of the House, will have as profound an effect on America’s future. Whatever you’re doing right now, please take a few moments to pray for the success of the Musgrave Amendment.

MAYDAY FOR MARRIAGE, OCTOBER 15^TH.

In a little more than two weeks, on October 15^th, a Mayday for Marriage Rally will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., from Noon to 3pm.

The non-partisan, inter-denominational gathering will be addressed by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Dr. James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Tony Perkins of The Family Research Council, Alan Chambers of Exodus International, and Dr. Richard Lamb of the Southern Baptist Convention, among other luminaries.

For more information, including registration and transportation for the rally, go to http://www.maydayformarriage.com/.

AMERICA FOR JESUS, OCTOBER 22^ND.

Also on the Mall in Washington, an America for Jesus Rally will be held on October 22, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a Praise and Worship Celebration from 6:00 pm to Midnight.

The America for Jesus website (http://apjc.unored.com/) has issued this clarion call: “On October 22, 2004, we will gather once again in Washington, D.C., at the word of the Lord, and call the body of Christ to a day of fasting and prayer, so that the Lord would hear our plea to heal and save our nation.”

I’ve been honored with an invitation to address this historic gathering. Expect more details in future Patriot Pastor Alerts.