Christian History Home > 2004 > The Prohibition of Gay Marriage
The Prohibition of Gay Marriage
We can learn from the defeat of American Christian activism's greatest legislative victory.
Collin Hansen | posted 8/08/2008 12:33PM
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Not coincidentally, Willard referred to suffrage as the "home protection ballot." Ironically, this effort by women to fulfill their Victorian expectation of defending the home led them into the public arena. When Prohibition breezed through Congress in 1917 and the states in 1919, hopeful activists anticipated a future in which women's unique virtue would transform the government and nation.
Of course, Prohibition is known today almost entirely for its unintended consequences. Rather than stay in the home to protect its sanctity, young flappers joined men in drinking and dancing at speakeasies. Alcohol hardly disappeared. Within the covert confines of these speakeasies, alcohol production and distribution became America's largest industry, and its profits funded the murderous activities of mob families. By the time the states ratified the 21st amendment in 1933, repealing Prohibition, a once-respected and hugely popular movement had become a national blemish.
Free the Soul, Change the Behavior
The nation's most prominent FMA supporter, President Bush, also knows a thing or two about the dangers of drink. But neither marriage nor DUI laws prohibited him from alcohol abuse. Since shortly after professing faith in Christ, though, he has remained sober. Now he frequently cites his own transformation to justify his support for faith-based charity organizations.
Even if the FMA eventually passes, Christians face an uphill battle to change a culture that demands universal tolerance and promotes feel-good sexuality. You can try to kill a weed by cutting off the visible part. But until you've treated the root, the same problem will emerge later. We'll need to do some digging if we want to cultivate righteousness in America.
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