RESOLUTION NO. 2
ON CALLING FOR A FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention has
consistently defined the marriage relationship to be
between one man and one woman, both by its teachings
and its resolutions; and
WHEREAS, it is the scriptural teaching of the churches
of the Alabama Baptist State Convention that God has
ordained marriage to be only between one man and one
woman (Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6) and it is sin
to engage in a homosexual relationship (Leviticus 18:22,
Romans 1:24-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10); and
WHEREAS, there continues to be an assault on the
marriage relationship, primarily through state court
proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention
supported the “Sanctity of Marriage Amendment,”
Article I, Section 36.03(e), which was approved by
Alabama voters in June 2006 and provides the State of
Alabama will not permit same-sex marriages or relationships
replicating marriage (civil unions), and specifically states
“the State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any
marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or
was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of
any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license
was issued;” and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 1 of the United States
Constitution, the full faith and credit clause, may require
sister states to give full faith and credit to the laws of
other states concerning same-sex marriage or a union
replicating marriage (civil union); and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the Alabama Sanctity of
Marriage Amendment, the full faith and credit clause may
require the State of Alabama, as well as other states, to
recognize same-sex marriages which are performed in
California, as well as other states; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the United States
Constitution which would permit only marriage between
a man and a woman and not recognize any same-sex
marriage or union replicating marriage (civil unions)
would protect the sanctity of marriage in all states; and
WHEREAS, a marriage amendment to the United States
Constitution would provide continuity between and
among the states for the determination of marriage
relationships and rights and privileges related thereto.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the messengers
to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in
Montgomery, Alabama, November 18-19, 2008, reaffirm
that biblical and legal marriage is between one man and
one woman and shall be held inviolate in practice and in
law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we request the Alabama
congressional delegation to co-sponsor and actively support
an amendment to the United States Constitution which
would provide that only marriages between a man and a
woman shall be permitted in the United States and that
there be no other form of marriage or union replicating
marriage that would be permitted between persons of
the same sex; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon Alabama
Baptist pastors to teach and inform congregations of the
sanctity of marriage and the necessity of its limitation of
one man and one woman; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon Alabama
Baptist pastors to encourage their members to communicate
with their respective members of the Alabama congressional
delegation to support a federal marriage amendment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon citizens in
the State of Alabama to vote for and actively support a
federal marriage amendment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this resolution
be sent to the Alabama Congressional delegation; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, while we support a federal
marriage amendment that upholds the Biblical definition
of marriage, we call upon Alabama Baptists to demonstrate
Godly love for those practicing homosexuality by sharing
with them the forgiving and transforming power of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:9-11).
RESOLUTION NO. 3
COMMENDING CALIFORNIA CITIZENS ON THE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 8 DEFINING MARRIAGE AS ONLY BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention has
consistently defined the marriage relationship to be
between one man and one woman, both by its teachings
and its resolutions; and
WHEREAS, it is the scriptural teaching of the churches
of the Alabama Baptist State Convention that God has
ordained marriage to be only between one man and one
woman (Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6) and it is sin
to engage in a homosexual relationship (Leviticus 18:22,
Romans 1:24-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10); and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention
supported Alabama Code Section 30-1-19, which states
marriage is between only one man and one woman; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention
supported the “Sanctity of Marriage Amendment,”
Article I, Section 36.03(e), which was approved by
Alabama voters in June 2006 and provides the State of
Alabama will not permit same-sex marriages or relationships
replicating marriage (civil unions), and specifically states
“the State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any
marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was
alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any
jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license
was issued;” and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of California in the case
styled In re MARRIAGE CASES, No. S147999 ruled that
beginning June 17, California same-sex marriages for
residents and non-residents is legal; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2008, the citizens of California
passed Proposition 8 amending the California Constitution
reverting the state back to defining marriage as between
one man and one woman; and
WHEREAS, between June 17 and November 5, many
persons of the same sex were married in California,
some of whom may have been Alabama residents or
who may move to Alabama.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the messengers
to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in
Montgomery, Alabama, November 18-19, 2008, reaffirm
that Biblical and legal marriage is between one man and
one woman and shall be held inviolate in practice and in
law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we continue to support
the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment for Alabama,
including its application to out-of-state marriages; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we commend the citizens
of California who voted to pass Proposition 8, amending
the California Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we urge Attorney General
Troy King of Alabama and other persons responsible for
Alabama laws to protect citizens of the State of Alabama
from any efforts that may require the State of Alabama to
recognize same-sex marriages performed in any jurisdiction;
and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution
be sent to Attorney General Troy King of Alabama,
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown of California, and
such other persons as may be appropriate.
RESOLUTION NO. 6
ON ELECTRONIC BINGO GAMBLING
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention
opposes gambling of every description because of its
many scriptural implications (Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs
13:11, Proverbs 21:5-6); and
WHEREAS, problems associated with gambling lead to
employment, criminal, personal and family problems; and
WHEREAS, gambling is a regressive form of taxation
primarily targeting the lower socioeconomic segment of
society; and
WHEREAS, municipal and county governing authorities
are increasingly looking to gambling revenues as a
method of taxation; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 65 of the 1901 Constitution
of Alabama prohibits games of chance, but 18 constitutional
amendments have been passed permitting games of
chance in the form of “bingo” to be played for charitable
purposes; and
WHEREAS, gambling interests in the State of Alabama
have tried continuously through the years to legalize
other forms of gambling but have failed; and
WHEREAS, electronic technology has increased the
potential for bingo as a more significant form of
gambling; and
WHEREAS, for those counties which have constitutional
amendments, municipal and county governments have
begun to apply a very broad and liberal application which
is allowing expanded bingo gambling in places such as
Walker County and the City of Triana in Madison County,
as well as proposed expansion of gambling at the
Birmingham Race Track and new gambling casino
complexes in Houston and Etowah Counties; and
WHEREAS, the 18 constitutional amendments only
permit limited bingo gambling for charitable purposes.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the messengers
to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in
Montgomery, Alabama, November 18-19, 2008, reaffirm
our historic opposition to all forms of gambling in the
State of Alabama; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose expanded
electronic bingo gambling in the State of Alabama; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose actions of
those municipal and county governments which interpret
any of the 18 constitutional amendments applicable to
them allowing expanded electronic bingo gambling within
their cities or counties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose incremental
expansion of charitable bingo by broad interpretations of
applicable amendments allowing permits to be issued
for expanded electronic bingo in the nature of those
permitted in Walker County and the City of Triana,
Alabama; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose any expansion
of gambling facilities, such as the Birmingham Race
Track whereby electronic bingo gambling devices could
be permitted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose the development
of any gambling casino such as those proposed in
Houston and Etowah Counties, Alabama; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon all Alabama
Baptist pastors to inform and educate their congregations
on the evils of gambling and the attempts of their local
governments to legitimize such evils in their communities;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon citizens in
those aggrieved communities and in other communities
across the state to oppose this expanded electronic form
of gambling and to further oppose its spread to other
parts of the State of Alabama; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon the Alabama
Legislature to pass and provide to the citizens of Alabama
a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment which
would repeal existing gambling laws and otherwise
prohibit games of chance to be conducted at any place
in the State of Alabama; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, a copy of this resolution
be sent to all municipalities and counties which have
constitutional amendments permitting the play of
charitable bingo, and to Governor Bob Riley, Lieutenant
Governor Jim Folsom, House Speaker Seth Hammett,
to each member of the Alabama Legislature, and to
all major news media in the State of Alabama.
RESOLUTION NO. 8
ON APPRECIATION FOR DAN IRELAND
WHEREAS, Dr. Dennis (Dan) L. Ireland has faithfully
served as a pastor of several churches in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ireland faithfully served as President of
the Alabama Baptist Convention for two terms (1976 and
1977); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ireland has, for the last thirty years,
faithfully served the citizens of Alabama in general
and the faith community in particular as the Executive
Director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program
(ALCAP); and
WHEREAS, during that time, Dr. Ireland has stood
strong for the moral issues that have confronted the
state of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, as a result of Dr. Ireland’s positive influence,
Alabama remains a wholesome place to live, work and
raise a family; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ireland, since his retirement from ALCAP
on June 1, 2008, has continued to speak out in support
of moral issues; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ireland has been named Director Emeritus
of ALCAP.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the messengers
to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in
Montgomery, Alabama, on November 18-19, 2008,
commend Dr. Dennis (Dan) L. Ireland for his service
to the Lord Jesus Christ and the citizens of Alabama;
and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Alabama Baptist
State Convention expresses its gratitude to Dr. Ireland,
his wife, Polly, and their entire family for the sacrifices
they have made in order to serve the people of Alabama.
RESOLUTION NO. 10
ON FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT
WHEREAS, during his campaign for President,
President-elect Barack Obama promised the
Planned Parenthood Federation of America that
he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act (“FOCA”)
as a first order of business; and
WHEREAS, the leadership of the United States
Senate and House of Representatives are expected
to support FOCA; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of FOCA is to federalize all
abortion law; and
WHEREAS, FOCA would repeal all gains made by
pro-life legislation on both state and federal levels
since 1973; and
WHEREAS, FOCA would permit federal funding for
abortions and invalidate extant federal laws that
would be in conflict with FOCA; and
WHEREAS, FOCA would invalidate all state
regulatory laws of every description, which would
include parental notification or consent for minors,
informed consent for women, and post-viability
abortion bans; and
WHEREAS, FOCA would be a preemptive federal
statute that would not permit any state regulatory law
in conflict therewith; and
WHEREAS, there would be no authority by state
legislative or judicial bodies to regulate abortion in
any way whatever; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention
went on record in 1992 opposing FOCA.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we the messengers
to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in
Montgomery, Alabama, November 18-19, 2008,
reaffirm our opposition to the Freedom of Choice
Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we support the rights
of states to regulate and prohibit abortion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we oppose the
United States Congress imposing federal unlimited
rights of abortion on the State of Alabama and the
citizens thereof; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we request all
members of the Alabama Congressional delegation
to oppose FOCA and to do everything in their power
to stop its passage; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this
resolution be sent to each member of the Alabama
Congressional delegation.
