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Marriage and the Family
The family is the fundamental building block of all human
civilizations. It is the original form of government from which all others come
about either by choice or by force. Marriage holds all of society together
through the socialization of men, the protection of women and the nurturing and
education of children. The health of our culture, its citizens and their
children are intimately linked to the wellbeing of marriage.
Life
We hold to the truth that life begins at conception and should
end only at natural death. The protection of life is one of the primary
purposes of free government. It is our belief that the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme
Court decision runs counter to the principles of liberty for all individuals.
Protection for individuals at the end of life is equally important. Therefore
we oppose euthanasia and other methods of ending life before it would otherwise
naturally end.
Religious Freedom
Free exercise of religion is the first and most fundamental
right of Americans protected in the Bill of Rights. It is our belief that
religious liberty and expression should be unhindered by government regulation
or judicial dictate. Religious expression should be protected from governmental
and judicial control in all society including in the workplace, government,
public schools and all other public and private institutions.
The Role of the Judiciary
The collision between faith and culture is never more apparent
than when lawmakers and courts decide how the moral issues of our day will be
addressed in our laws and court decisions. Americans often look to the courts
as a tool for solving the controversial issues of the day; but is this the
proper role of the courts? We believe the role given to judges is to interpret
law, not to make it.
Education
We believe that parents are the primary educators of children.
Many connected with the government education system believe that parental roles
are secondary in the education of children. We disagree, and instead encourage
the reform of the education system through school choice and greater parental
involvement.
Gambling
We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us. We learn from history and God's Word that blessings come from obedience and work. Irresponsible use of money in hopes of easy riches is bad stewardship. Financial pressure is understood to be a primary stumbling block in marriages and families. For the sake of families and the economy we discourage gambling. However, we do encourage investing that money into the efforts of the Association of Maryland Familes =) click here to donate+
Some content used from the Colorado Family Institute
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We have a great and gracious God who is sovereign over all
creation. He created human beings in His image. Human life is therefore sacred
and should be nurtured and protected at every stage of its development. The
right to life is our most fundamental human right.
God is the supreme author of all of
our liberties. His Word and His Truth should serve as the cornerstone of
our government, so that we may live in a free and stable society where justice
and righteousness prevail. Our federal and state constitutions assure us that
we have the freedom of religious expression in both private matters and public
affairs, and these God-given religious liberties must be respected and
restored.
God designed the traditional family
to serve as the foundation of our civilization. The family is comprised
of those related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The union of men and women in
marriage is and should be the bedrock institution in our society. This enduring
family model provides the best environment for love, commitment, support, and
natural affection to be expressed, shared, and enjoyed.
God ordained marriage with the
prospect of children so that His Godly legacy might extend through
generations. Children are much more likely to experience physical, mental,
emotional, and spiritual health when they have the benefit of being raised by
both a responsible father and mother. It is critical that society embraces the
longstanding consensus that the marriage of a man and woman provides the
optimum setting for nurturing and supporting children who will thrive in life
and contribute as caring, conscientious citizens.
Parents have the God-given right
and responsibility to determine and oversee the upbringing and education
of their children. Parents should aspire to be the primary caregivers and moral
guardians of their children. They should understand as well that they are their
children's best teachers. The God-given privilege of parents to select the
setting and course of study for their children's instruction should be upheld
and safeguarded.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
proclaimed a Great Commandment: that we love one another with our whole
mind, heart, soul, and strength; and that we love our neighbor as ourselves.
Each of us were created to do good deeds and put our faith into action by
bringing hope into the lives of those who are hurting and need help. Government
was never intended to be the primary agent of social support, compassion, and
mercy. The church and charitable organizations must reclaim their proper role
in providing assistance to the needy and disadvantaged.
One of the privileges of our
democratic society and our republican form of government is the
opportunity to debate issues freely and boldly in the public square. While it
is imperative that harmful, unethical, and evil thinking and behavior be
confronted and challenged, it is at the same time our mission to see that those
who are blinded and deceived be lovingly led to the Truth. Those who disagree
with us should not be viewed as enemies to be maligned, but as persons in need
of the enlightenment, edification, and the redemption that we all seek.
Some content used from the Missouri Family Policy Council
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