Kennedy, the Supreme Court and DOMA

By now, you’ve heard that the Supreme Court of the United States, in its last day of session, dealt a strong blow to our nation’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  While only a one vote majority (the court was virtually split 5-4), the decision has far reaching implications.  Justice Anthony Kennedy, the swing vote moderate, sided with the liberals and wrote the majority opinion.

The majority opinion, like so many liberal decisions, is full of opinionated pontifications, grounded neither in logic nor the constitution.  The opinion basically trumpeted state rights over federalism…that is, that DOMA cannot deny federal benefits to homosexual couples legally married in states where such unions are permitted (there are 16).  Then, the decision went on to trumpet federalism—no discrimination against gay married persons.

Kennedy and Co, basically argued against the 1996 morality…saying it unjustly targeted homosexuals.  Such morality, Kennedy argues, is not acceptable.  Of course, that itself is a moral claim.  Kennedy attacks Congress’ morality, while advancing his own.

So whose morality shall prevail?

This, of course, is the Christian’s foundation.  Neither mine nor yours is sufficient to chart the course for our nation.  Only the true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word is sufficient.  The Bible contains objective morality, not subject to the changes of the ages or the whims of a monarch, be he an 18^th century British king or a 21^st century American Supreme Court Justice.

I remembered the words of John Witherspoon, the only clergyman who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  In one of his sermons, he stated:

"He is the best friend of American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down on profanity and immorality of every kind.  Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple [hesitate] not to call him an enemy to his country."

The majority opinion prevented the United States from bearing “down on…immorality” (in this case, homosexual marriage) and in so doing, declared themselves enemies of God.  Witherspoon and patriots like him, know they are enemies of their country.