I would like to respond to some issues raised with regard to the Church’s support for traditional marriage and its opposition to same-gender marriage.

1. Why is the Church doing this?

Some are under the mistaken notion that the Church has taken a stand in order to protect itself and its beliefs. In other words, that the Church fears that if the state permits same-gender marriage, the Church would be forced to seal same-gender marriages or recognize them.

While this is a concern, as far-fetched as it may seem now, this is not why the Church has taken a stand. Regardless how this issue affects religious organizations and their policies, the Church recognizes the impact this decision will have on the social fabric. If people are permitted to define marriage as they see fit, the stability and even institution of marriage becomes a farce, becomes ineffectual. There are a number of rules and expectations with regard to marriage, and these are increasingly being eroded in society and attacked by various elements within society that chafe under these rules and expectations that limit what society accepts.

I do not think this radical redefinition of marriage will immediately bring down society, but it perpetuates a dangerous momentum that redefines and eventually makes obsolete and useless the institution of marriage. We should do whatever we can to staunch this momentum against marriage.

2. Isn’t the Church risking its tax-exempt status?

No. Since the beginning of the founding of The United States, churches and religious organizations have spoken and have been involved in political issues. These include temperance, abolitionism, and civil rights. If the Church is to be stripped of its tax-exempt status, then it would follow that the Catholic Church should be stripped of its tax-exempt status because of its active pro-life programs. Or that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s organization should have had its tax-exempt status stripped.

It is interesting that this argument arises only when the Church takes a stance that people disagree with. The vast work of the Church, from missionary work to philanthropy, seems to be conveniently ignored.

Of course, if the Church is to have its tax-exempt status stripped, thousands of other religious organizations (including synagogues, mosques, and churches) would have their tax-exempt status stripped as well: many religious organizations are actively involved in this issue.