(RNS)Conservative Christians hailed the results of Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) voting, especially the defeat of gay marriage legislation in Maine.
Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law, called the Maine decision, which overturned a same-sex marriage law enacted earlier this year, a “huge victory” for supporters of traditional marriage.
“Every time the citizens have voted on marriage, they have always sided with natural marriage and rejected same-sex marriage,” said Staver. “Maine dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen.”
Stand for Marriage Maine, a group that worked for the repeal of the law, was supported by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Knights of Columbus and the Maine chapter of Concerned Women of America.
Gay rights supporters were disappointed in the Maine vote.
“As is too often the case, fear and misinformation have stood in the way of justice,” said the Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Conservatives also welcomed the election of two Republican governors with ties to conservative Christian organizations: Bob McDonnell in Virginia, an alumnus of Pat Robertson’s Regent University, and Chris Christie in New Jersey, who was endorsed by FRC Action PAC, the political action committee of the Family Research Council.
“Many factors played a role in the outcome of yesterday’s elections, so it’s important not to exaggerate the religious right’s influence,” said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “But at the same time, Americans need to know that this movement’s leaders are still influential in American politics.”
Despite the conservative victories, supporters of gay rights in Michigan hailed a vote in Kalamazoo, where city voters adopted an ordinance that includes gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in anti-discrimination protections. A referendum in Washington state that gives domestic partnerships many of the legal rights of married couples appears headed for approval.
By Adelle M. Banks
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