In a highly disappointing development, Minnesota and Rhode Island have become the latest US states to introduce same sex 'marriage'.
Legislation redefining marriage in Minnesota was signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton in May this year, and came into effect on Thursday (1st August).
Approximately 42 same sex 'marriages' have already been officiated by Mayor R.T. Rybak at the Minneapolis City Hall.
Similar legislation in Rhode Island came into effect just hours later, making it the 13th US state - after Minnesota - to introduce same sex ‘marriage’.
But the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has vowed to “work tirelessly to hold the politicians accountable for this travesty.”
Sad day
“This is a sad day in Minnesota and Rhode Island as politicians have allowed a mockery to be made of the institution of marriage, which throughout our history has been our only social institution to bring men and women together for the benefit of any children born of their union,” said Brian Brown, NOM's president.
“Today Minnesota and Rhode Island embark on a new path that jettisons the interests of children from their state marriage law, and puts people of faith in harm's way for being punished for their beliefs. We will work tirelessly to hold the politicians accountable for this travesty.”
NOM pointed out that a redefinition of marriage has always led to the marginalisation of those who believe that marriage can only be between one man and one woman. It also noted recent guidelines issued by the Minnesota Human Rights Commission stating that the law offers no exceptions for those with conscience objections.
Targeted
“It's only a matter of time before people of faith are targeted for punishment by government officials, and cease to enjoy the full rights of citizenship because they believe what their faith teaches them — that marriage can only be between one man and one woman,” said Brown.
“Based on what has already happened elsewhere, we predict that people of faith will face lawsuits, lose contracts, be denied employment and be forced to stop providing goods and services. Charities will be forced to close.”
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