Coffin Corner

November 6, Election Day, is only a few days away.

Due to Hurricane Sandy, Governor O'Malley has extended early voting for Marylanders.  You may now vote early today (November 1) and tomorrow (November 2) from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm. For more details, visit the State Board of Elections.

To the hundreds if not thousands of you who have volunteered to uphold marriage and defeat Question 6 - getting signatures during the petition drive, making phone calls at a phone bank or signing up to work at a poll on Election Day - thank you.

To all: Please don't redefine marriage.  Vote AGAINST Question 6. Why?

It is not necessary to redefine marriage in order to provide rights and benefits to other couples.  Many of the rights and benefits sought by those who want to redefine marriage are already available to domestic partners in Maryland, such as:

If is not discrimination to believe that marriage is to be between a man and a woman.  We all know and love family members, friends and colleagues who are gay, but reserving marriage for one man and one woman recognizes the uniqueness of that relationship above all other relationships.

Marriage between one man and one woman has been recognized by both government and religion throughout time and across cultures because it is the only relationship capable of bringing children into the world and providing them with the love of a mother and a father.

Don't be fooled into thinking we can redefine marriage and protect religious freedom.  We've seen it too many times already - if marriage is redefined, churches, religiously affiliated institutions, private businesses and individuals will be exposed to lawsuits and harassment just for expressing their religious beliefs about marriage.

And don't take the Question 6 ballot language at face value. What the new law redefining marriage pretends to offer as religious protections, it then takes away in language that has not been included in what you will read at the polls.

According to the actual legislation, religious organizations that accept state or federal funds are excluded from certain religious liberty protections if they partner with the government to provide services to the community.

For more information and to view videos against redefining marriage, please visit our marriage page.

Again, thank you for all you have done and for your prayers.  Please get out and vote Tuesday - and vote AGAINST Question 6.

**********

Stay connected: Follow the MCC on Twitter or LIKE us on Facebook.

To ensure that you continue to receive alerts, please add kdempsey@mdcathcon.org to your approved senders' list.