Five years ago, John Stemberger had a sense he would lead his state's effort to protect marriage.
As president of the Florida Family Policy Council, which is associated with Focus on the Family, he is doing just that.
In November, Florida will vote on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
Stemberger was honored today at Values Voter Summit 2008 with Focus on the Family Action's Family Champion Award.
He spoke with CitizenLink this week.
1. Did you ever imagine you'd be where you are, fighting for marriage, as other states have already legalized gay "marriage"?
Since I became a Christian, I have always had a desire to stand up for what is right and true. But about five years ago, I attended a meeting of top national pro-family leaders. As I walked out of the room, I had this distinct sense that I was going to be involved with leading this (marriage) effort in my home state. I feel as if I have been providentially and uniquely prepared for such a moment as this. I look back and all the legal training, debates, radio hosting, campaign management, public advocacy, leadership experiences, media training and even my commercial art education — it all comes into play in the fight for marriage.
2. How is the Florida fight for marriage unique?
First, we are the only state in the country that requires 60 percent (support) to pass a state constitutional amendment; every other state has a 50 percent hurdle. Second, our opponents have adopted very disciplined messaging, trying to scare senior citizens by saying the amendment would “take away their benefits.” Not only are they making fraudulent claims, but they are seeking to prey upon Florida's most precious and vulnerable citizens.
Third, I believe Florida will have the closest vote on the marriage amendment of the three states (voting on marriage) around the country. I want to wake up that morning after the election and know I did everything in my power to be faithful to the cause. That is success in God’s economy. And that is my desire for every person in Florida who supports marriage.
3. What is a typical day like for you?
I have been on the road constantly for the last six months. In the last month, it has been almost five days a week. I work a minimum of 12 hours a day. I thank God for my loving and supportive wife, Olivia, who says, “Listen, some men have to leave and fight wars for years at a time. Do what you need to do to win this.” She is amazing as she cares for our three small children when I am gone. On the road, we do fundraising, grass-roots meetings, pastors' conferences, media appearances and coalition development. I spend 3-4 hours a day processing 500-600 e-mails. I also spend a lot of time writing, speaking, managing our super staff and conducting strategic planning.
4. Some people say the definition of marriage doesn't really matter. Why is it worth protecting?
Ideas have consequences. And the innocent-sounding idea of gay "marriage” has profound legal and social consequences far beyond what you could imagine. Once you legalize same-sex "marriage," you are simultaneously changing hundreds of other laws. The impact is most clearly seen in Massachusetts, where grade-school children are taught from reading primers like “Heather Has Two Mommies” and how “lesbians have intercourse” in sex education. In California, the words “mother” and “father” are considered discriminatory.
By creating a same-sex "marriage," you are simultaneously creating a same-sex family. And so the question must be asked, “What is the impact to children?” Children need a mother and a father. That is just common sense. Our opponents want to deny them one or the other. This is not acceptable. A vast body of social science literature demonstrates that marriage protects children from a host of social problems.
Believe it or not, the far Left couldn't care less about gay "marriage.” They want to see the abolition of marriage as an institution and radical social change to redefine the human experience itself. This is precisely what we see in Scandinavian countries where this nonsense has played out to its logical extension: The rates of cohabitation are skyrocketing, and the institution of marriage is rapidly dying off. Girls and boys grow up in a culture and see no picture of marriage to emulate or aspire to.
There is really no end to the aberrant forms of human sexuality that will come to the courthouse also demanding "marriage." And when marriage can mean anything, marriage means nothing.
5. How can we support you and pray for you?
Floridians need to understand, this is our moment in history. We have one shot at this. Every vote cast, every dollar donated and every hour volunteered is going to make an enormous difference. The clock is ticking down rapidly to Nov. 4 and the vote will be razor thin. We still need considerable funding. We need supporters to donate, volunteer and get involved.
Finally, we need to cry out to God for His mercy and forgiveness for our own sin. We need to walk humbly as we fight this fight and repent of pride, self-righteousness and for not loving our gay neighbors as we love ourselves. Pray for our amazing campaign team and the hundreds of grass-roots leaders across the state. Pray for favor among voters and that God would multiple our fish and loaves to educate the masses in Florida. In the end, all we can ask is that people will be faithful and use their time, talents and treasure to protect God’s design for marriage in our state and across the nation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit Yes2Marriage.org, and don't forget to vote for the amendment on Nov. 4.
Kim Trobee recently interviewed John Stemberger. Watch the video clip.
Pd. pol. adv. Sponsored by Florida4Marriage.org PO Box 521339 Longwood, FL 32752, paid for in-kind by Focus on the Family Action, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.
