Pastor Wayne Cordiero’s Message to New Hope Church Members August 27, 2013
I want to bring something to your attention that I feel is critical to the life we value here in Hawaii. Currently the Governor, Senate and House of Representatives are considering whether or not to convene a special legislative session to consider the legalization of Same-Gender Marriages in the State of Hawaii. The proposed bill is being prepared by the Governor's office and is scheduled to be sent to the legislature this Wednesday.
In 1998, the majority of Hawaii voters upheld the sanctity of marriage, passing a constitutional amendment banning same gender marriages. This year the federal court in Hawaii ruled in favor of upholding the constitutional ban on same-gender marriage in the state as well. In his 120 page ruling in the Jackson v. Abercrombie case, U.S. District Judge Alan Kay stated; "If the traditional institution of marriage is to be restructured, as sought by plaintiffs, it should be done by a democratically-elected legislature or the people through a constitutional amendment, not through judicial legislation that would inappropriately preempt democratic deliberation regarding whether or not to authorize same-gender marriage.”
I believe that this issue should be presented to the people of the State of Hawaii for a vote and not be decided by the Governor and State Legislature. A special session of the legislature does not provide an adequate opportunity for people to voice their opinions.
I want to encourage you to do the following two things:
1) Call the Governor's office at (808) 586-0034 and ask him NOT to convene a special session. Having a special session of this nature requires due process especially one as volatile as this. A vote of this importance should be left to the voting public.
2) Contact your own representative via email and/or phone and tell him or her not to redefine marriage in a special session. That it is your preference to exercise your right to vote on this issue. If your representative(s) feel that same-gender marriage should be established in Hawaii, then they should do the right thing and repeal the constitutional amendment of 1998 and present a clear constitutional amendment question to the people for a vote.
You can find out who represents you and their contact information at the following links:
House Members: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H
Senate Member: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=S
Another avenue to share your opinion with State Senators and House Representatives is at the following emails:
REPS@capitol.hawaii.gov (all Representatives)
SENS@capitol.hawaii.gov (all Senators)
I want to encourage you to Let Your Voice Be Heard, on this issue that is absolutely critical to the family fabric that is rooted deeply in our shared faith and has been woven into our beloved Hawaiian culture.
As you share you opinion with the leaders of our state government, please remember to represent yourself well by doing the following:
1. Be respectful and polite
2. Get to the point
3. Be loving in the delivery of your opinion
Included are two simple templates you can use to email your representatives and all representatives in the state government. One is to a specific representative; the other is to all representatives.
In closing, please remember that you are representing yourself and your opinion and not acting on or for New Hope. We want to focus the attention on the issue and not our church.
Download the two simple templates here
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