Churches Fight CA Gay Law With Prayer
By Heather Sells
CBN News
October 11, 2008
CBNNews.com - Many believe the outcome of the California marriage amendment will be felt nationwide. That's one reason the effort to win over voters on both sides has already raised more than $30 million.
Churches favoring traditional marriage are working across the state to get out the vote and a big part of that focus is prayer.
By Prayer and Fasting
Right now, gay marriage is legal in California and one group has come together from across the state and the country to stop it.
Their mission is to fast and pray from now until Election Day for the passage of proposition 8 which would clearly and legally define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman.
"I believe that right now we are in a battle for the culture and the society of our nation," said Proposition 8 supporter Missy Huff. "I came to San Diego and am fasting for 40 days because I'm 21 years old and I came here because I want to win a battle so my children don't have to some day because it's about the forming of a society."
Lou Engle, organizer of TheCall, is leading this effort. It will culminate with a November first rally at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.
"We're believing that God answers prayer. We're praying because we know that prayer is the way we see things change," said Roger Joyner, another supporter.
Last week close to 4,000 young people rallied to support Prop 8 at San Diego's Rock Church. For some like Jeffrey Lee Williams, it was a chance to get more information.
"I have a lot of gay friends and I get asked a lot why would I support prop 8," Williams said.
The latest poll shows support is eroding but critics say that's misleading. They believe many conservatives may be hesitant to tell pollsters how they are going to vote.
Caught in the Middle
For Williams, it's tough having friends on both sides.
"Some say 'yeah why not? Like why not let homosexuals get married.' And others say 'it's a biblical standard you should not let that happen. It should be man and woman ' - so it's across the board," Williams said.
To win the hearts and minds of Californians, both sides will spend a combined $30 million.
In their first television ad, supporters of Prop 8 are targeting the state Supreme Court justices whose ruling legalized gay marriage.
Homosexual groups are using a traditional couple to attack and defeat the amendment.
Experts believe this could be the most expensive measure ever focused on a social issue.
Perhaps that's because both sides know the nation is watching - and many states will no doubt take their cue from this vote, whatever way it goes.
*Original broadcast October 7, 2008.
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