In two decisions released this morning by the Supreme Court of the United States, justices stopped short of redefining marriage, but invalidated a key protection for marriage at the Federal level.  The following statement can be attributed to David E. Smith, Executive Director of Illinois Family Institute:

In spite of the Supreme Court’s decision today, marriage remains the union of husband and wife – a timeless, universal institution that connects children to their mother and father.  The U.S. Supreme Court, our federal and state governments should work to preserve the marriage laws in Proposition 8 and DOMA — not undermine them. It’s abundantly clear they don’t understand the unique purpose and nature of marriage. It is the ONLY relationship of interest to the government because it has the potential to produce children and is the best environment in which to raise the next generation of healthy and productive members of society.  

Moreover, the Court trampled on ‘we the people’ and ignored the constitutional authority of the American people to determine marriage policy. We will continue to stand up for marriage as the union of one man and one woman because of the reality that children need and deserve both a mom and a dad. Neither are expendable. 

Lastly, these rulings advance the homosexual political agenda, and will lead to more anti-religious bigotry and persecution. While conservative people of faith and moral conscience should be able to freely exercise their religious beliefs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment, these newly manufactured rights are being used to quash individual liberties. 

Regardless of the decision, the Court does not have the power to change the reality that children deserve both a mom and a dad.  We will continue to do all we can do to educate citizens on the importance of natural marriage for children and society.

IFI has two non-negotiable issues: our pro-life stance on abortion and the definition of marriage as an institution between one man and one woman. We will continue to stand for these issues.  Research has proven time and time again that children do best when raised with both a mother and a father and our children deserve the best, whenever possible. 
 
As an essential aspect of civilization, marriage is key to public policy, in that:

• Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces.
• Marriage is based on the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman and the reality that children need a mother and a father.
• Marriage has public purposes that transcend its private purposes. 

Illinois Family Institute is committed to continuing to stand for marriage and to defeat any efforts to redefine or weaken this essential union.