VOICES FOR MARRIAGE

GR remarks at District 10 Mtg.

My name is Gerald Ripley. I’m Pastor of Abundant Life Church. I’m also on the Steering Committee of an Association of approximately 90 Pastors and Ministry leaders called The Gathering.

Thirteen and a half years ago, on January 29, 1998 I, along with hundreds of other Pastors and concerned Christian citizens packed the City Council auditorium to express our opposition to a lesbian-gay special rights proposed ordinance.

The volume and intensity of communications during the 24 hour period before the City Council meeting resulted in the city council sponsor having the item removed from the proposal agenda. In a sage move, then Mayor Howard Peak, nonetheless allowed numerous attendees to express their concerns even though it was a moot point by that time.

Today, I speak against the budgeting of monies to provide benefits for unmarried domaestic partners, most of all on moral grounds and secondly, out of economic consideration.

Providing the proposed benefits would have the effect of gradually eroding the moral fabric of our society. To thumb one’s nose at morality is a foolhardy gesture. Our city will be diminished if we do that.

For the economic side, in a time when our budget needs to be trimmed whether by a machete or only a scalpel, it makes no sense other than what seems to this citizen to be political pandering to add this item to our budget.

If this item is added, it will be an action that ignores and indeed, defies the will of the people expressed clearly and loudly in January, 1998.

It will amount to an end-around move, avoiding a potential outcry similar to that of last time around.

Thankyou.