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There are plenty of Bible believing Christians who oppose the marriage amendment. We are not denying the sanctity or importance of marriage. My wife and I have been married for 46 years and do not understand how allowing gay people to enjoy the same love and benefits of marriage will take away from our marriage.

God said it was not good for the man to be alone. I believe that the loving, gracious God we see in Jesus would not want gay people to be alone either. Wouldn't it be better if we promoted and supported faithfulness in all relationships, including gay and straight? Isn't it better for society when people are in committed relationships and supported in those relationships by the legal benefits of marriage?

I do not believe that procreation is the main purpose of marriage today. There are many couples who do not or cannot have children. Does that mean they are not fulfilling God's will? I believe they have just as valid a marriage as those who do have children. Thus a gay married couple would not need to have children to have a valid marriage.

In reading the Bible I find that the Biblical writers did not know or understand sexual orientation. They did not write about two adult same sex people in a loving committed relationship. The few passages that deal with homosexuality deal mainly with abuses along with heterosexual abuses.

This amendment will hurt gay people in Minnesota. It will hurt families and young gay people. I fear more bullying and even hate crimes.

Many young people either drop out or never join churches because they view them as judgmental, exclusive and negative. I want churches to be welcome to all, inclusive and positive. We cannot continue to be so rigid and unchanging.

Finally, I believe this is poor procedure. It should not be so easy to change the constitution. It should be more than a simple majority to make a change that will hurt our fellow brothers and sisters, beloved children of God.[[In-content Ad]]

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