83 groups to Leader McConnell: Stand firm against legislation attacking religious freedom, marriage

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom President and CEO Michael P. Farris regarding a letter ADF and more than 80 allies sent to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday asking him to oppose the misnamed “Respect for Marriage Act,” a bill that would do far more than enshrine same-sex marriage into federal law by intentionally jeopardizing the religious freedom of millions of Americans who have sincerely held beliefs about marriage:

“When culture and political institutions fail to respect the institution of marriage and instead promote open aggression against those who believe that marriage is between a man and woman, they not only undermine human flourishing but seriously harm religious freedom. Despite claims from its sponsors, the so-called ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ doesn’t simply codify the Obergefell decision. It forces the federal government to recognize without limit any marriage definitions that a state adopts. It also empowers the government to punish millions of Americans who hold decent and honorable beliefs about marriage—beliefs that have existed since time immemorial—exposing citizens to predatory lawsuits and even endangering the nonprofit status of faith-based organizations. Since Obergefell, we have continued to see attacks on people of faith for adhering to their religious beliefs about marriage, just as the Obergefell dissenters predicted. This legislation would only further that hostility. We urge members of the Senate, including Leader McConnell, to stand firm against these blatant attacks on religious freedom and the institution of marriage by opposing this dangerous and completely unnecessary legislation.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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