Elizabeth City, NC – March 23, 2012 – In advance of the upcoming vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8, 2012, Mid-Atlantic Christian University wishes to express its opinion that marriage is a special relationship between one man and one woman. The University encourages a vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8, 2012.
This is an important time for people of faith and for churches to speak up and vote to affirm in the great State of North Carolina that marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman. We encourage ministers, believers, and churches to speak up and use their influence to uphold this definition that marriage is a special relationship between one man and one woman.
Some will say that to take such a narrow stand on marriage is bigoted, homophobic, anti-capitalistic, archaic, etc. However, the institution of marriage between one man and one woman has helped to stabilize American society. When the family unit is destroyed or even unstable, suffering increases. Studies have pointed to the disintegration of the family as one of the underlying causes for personal and societal difficulties.
While the school acknowledges that there are political motivations within all parties regarding this issue, marriage is not a political issue. Rather, it is a core societal structure, as well as Biblical truth, that must be defended for the general welfare. “Our interest is not political,” University President D. Clay Perkins said.
Perkins further contends that the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian values that fueled the founders to establish a form of government unlike others. Residents of North Carolina need look no further than the Preamble of the North Carolina State Constitution to be reminded of their heritage: “We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.” Perkins believes turning from foundational truths and practices will bring harm to the nation and society in general.
The University’s Bible Department released this statement on marriage:
In our Judeo-Christian heritage, marriage has been traditionally regarded as “holy matrimony.” This signals the fact that marriage is an institution ordained by God from the very beginning not merely the product of societal development.
Genesis confirms that marriage is the first institution of human society and the foundation upon which all of the human institutions are built. It is in the context of marriage between a man and a woman that both partners can have the chance to achieve their greatest fulfillment; that children can be born and nurtured; and that the health, education, and welfare of all persons in a society can be best sustained.
Scripture and human experience confirm that everyone benefits when marriage is honored and that everyone suffers when respect for marriage erodes. The negative effects of a culture’s losing sight of the sanctity of marriage is witnessed not only in the dramatic increases in divorce and cohabitation but also in the collateral damage of juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, crime, despair and other social evils.
All attempts to marginalize marriage or redefine it must be exposed and resisted as threats to the societal well-being summarized above.
Department of Biblical Studies
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Lee Fields, Ph.D., Chair
Individuals, churches, and other organizations are asked to rally together for the cause. They may contact President Perkins or Professor Ronnie Woolard at the University for resources and information. There is also related information at the websites www.voteformarriageNC.com and www.manhattandeclaration.org .
Questions or comments may be directed to the Office of the President.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University is accredited by The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (COC-SACS) to award certificates, associate, and baccalaureate degrees.
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