Breaking News: 'Gay marriage' moves forward in CA

Breaking News: 'Gay marriage' moves forward in CA

From: Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow - 6/4/2008 1:55:00

The California Supreme Court will not stay its decision authorizing homosexuals to "marry" in that state, even though voters will consider a constitutional amendment to ban the practice in November. The court issued its 4-3 decision Wednesday.

Attorney Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, says the court's refusal to stay their decision until the November election is very telling. "When the California Supreme Court denied this stay, especially in light of the marriage amendment being certified for the November ballot, it indicates a clear political agenda," says Staver. "I believe that judges acting as judges, and not as legislators, would have granted the stay."

The justices had ruled last month that the state must allow homosexuals to marry under the same terms and conditions as heterosexuals despite a state law defining marriage as the union of only one man and one woman.  But Staver believes Wednesday's decision allowing that ruling to take effect as scheduled is a very temporary victory for homosexual activists.

"This particular battle is not over," he states emphatically. "It's not going to be decided by four judges -- it's going to be decided by the people in November. I believe when the passage of the marriage amendment happens in November, all of the marriage licenses, if any, that have been issued will become invalid and invisible."

And Staver, who is also dean of the Liberty University School of Law, says this case should make a point to elected executives who answer to the people for who they appoint to the bench. "I think this particular issue really focuses on the importance of judges understanding their role as judges," he shares. "Whether it's the president or the governor of each state, it is important that those who are appointing these judges understand that judges need to be judges and not political legislators, as these four justices in California have indicated themselves to be."

Under the decision issued Wednesday, homosexuals will be able to receive civil marriage licenses in California beginning June 16 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific).