On October 3, 2003, President Bush officially proclaimed October 12 though 18 as "Marriage Protection Week." The proclamation's intent was to promote discussion about marriage ---a noble and good intent, indeed. It also provided a timely opportunity for some conservatives to promote the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. 
 
Christian conservatives are correct that the sanctity of marriage is a God-created institution, not man-defined. Yet in the same breath, some conservatives call for protecting "government marriage." 
 
The idea of "government marriage" is not of God, but man. It is completely unbiblical. As other conservatives have tried to explain to their fellow conservatives, not one man in the Bible was ever "married by government." Not one. 
 
The true conservative position is that of opposing the expansion of big socialist government. Yet, some well-intended but misguided conservatives are instead seeking to liberally expand government power with the Federal Marriage Amendment. 
 
Rather than trust God regarding Godly marriage, these otherwise sincere fellow Christians are instead committing idolatry, turning to the false god of big socialist government. In their genuine desire to promote Godly marriage, they are instead promoting unbiblical "government marriage." 
 
Most Christian conservatives bristle at the idea of "government anything" in any God-defined context. So, to see what is really happening, it is helpful to see President Bush's proclamation with the word, "government," inserted before every "marriage" reference. (And no, one cannot insert, "Godly," instead. Biblically, God never used government for marriage.) It would offensively read as follows. 
 
 
Government Marriage Is a Sacred Institution, and 
Its Protection Is Essential to the continued strength 
of our society.  
 
Government Marriage Protection Week provides an 
opportunity to focus our efforts on preserving the 
sanctity of government marriage and on building strong 
and healthy government marriages in America.  
 
Government marriage is a union between a man and a 
woman, and my Administration is working to support the 
institution of government marriage by helping couples 
build successful government marriages and be good 
parents.  
 
To encourage government marriage and promote the 
well-being of children, I have proposed a healthy 
government marriage initiative to help couples develop 
the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy 
government marriages.  
 
Research has shown that, on average, children raised 
in households headed by government married parents 
fare better than children who grow up in other family 
structures. Through education and counseling programs, 
faith-based, community, and government organizations 
promote healthy government marriages and a better 
quality of life for children. By supporting responsible 
child-rearing and strong families, my Administration is 
seeking to ensure that every child can grow up in a 
safe and loving home. 
 
We are also working to make sure that the Federal 
Government does not penalize government marriage. My 
tax relief package eliminated the government marriage 
penalty. And as part of the welfare reform package I 
have proposed, we will do away with the rules that have 
made it more difficult for government married couples 
to move out of poverty. 
 
We must support the institution of government marriage 
and help parents build stronger families. And we must 
continue our work to create a compassionate, welcoming 
society, where all people are treated with dignity and 
respect. 
 
During Government Marriage Protection Week, I call on 
all Americans to join me in expressing support for the 
institution of government marriage with all its benefits 
to our people, our culture, and our society. 
 
Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the 
United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
States, do hereby proclaim the week of October 12 through 
October 18, 2003, as Government Marriage Protection Week. 
I call upon the people of the United States to observe 
this week with appropriate programs, activities, and 
ceremonies. 
 
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 
third day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.  
 
 
"Government marriage?" Ungodly socialism! Idolatry. 
 
Inserting "government" exposes how this well-intended proclamation is not about Godly marriage, but "government marriage."  
 
"Government Marriage Protection Week" would provide the platform for mistakenly promoting the idolatrous "Federal Government Marriage Amendment." 
 
God help us.

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Bibliographic URLs:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031003-12.html