October 21, 2008

Dear MPC Family,

As elders, we are charged to “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that (we) can encourage others by sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9).  It is in prayerful response to this charge that we write you today.

As you may know, there is a proposition on the California ballot that seeks to constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman.  While this may seem to be a political issue, it is, in essence, a Biblical issue.

Gen. 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

In Gen. 2, it says, “Then Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.’…Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man and he brought her to the man.  The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman” for she was taken out of man.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.”

In these passages, God defines marriage.

In the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Book of Order, in the Directory of Worship (W-4.9001), our denomination affirms this, stating that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Proposition 8 gives us the opportunity to affirm God’s definition.

What exactly does Proposition 8 say? Here is the wording of California Proposition 8: “Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

What does it do? It places into the California Constitution the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman.

What does it not do? It does not take away rights or benefits from gay or lesbian domestic partners.  California Family Code 297.5 states gay and lesbian domestic partners “shall have the same rights, projections and benefits” as married spouses. Proposition 8 does not change this.

This is not about being against anyone; this is about being for God’s truth.

We will be available after services on Sunday and throughout the week to talk and pray with you about this issue.  Please do not hesitate to contact us.

And please join us in praying for our city, our state, our nation and our world, as we continue to seek to do God’s will.

Your brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Session of Moorpark Presbyterian Church