Marriage Under Fire, by James Dobson

I picked Marriage Under Fire up during the CBD Christmas special. It definitely had appeal to me, as I care greatly about the institution of marriage. I don't always like how Dobson presents his arguments and do not agree with him in everything, but I know that he, too, is passionate about the covenant of marriage - being between one man and one woman.

Marriage Under Fire was originally published in 2004 and is written to address and explain the political climate at the time. For that reason, the book is slightly outdated -- in part. The political situation has obviously changed but I would hastily also say that the war against the God-ordained institution of marriage is just as much under attack now as then. Perhaps more so. Dobson's 2004 rallying cry that we sit up, take notice and defend our beliefs is still applicable today.

One thing I think he addresses well is why we should care about the legalization of homosexual marriages. A lot of people would say, "Why should you care? It's not hurting you, is it?" and Dobson says that we cannot ignore it. To allow it is to usher in the destruction of the traditional marriage. It opens doors to allow anything and everything because if you say that marriage is not just between a man and a woman that you can easily drag the argument out further to say that marriage can be between three or four people, or a man and his dog, or any other odd combination that might spring to mind. Once you remove the standard, then you are subjecting yourself to the whims, fancy and experimentation of the masses - which is exactly what we see happening today.

Dobson calls for a return to marriage the way that God designed it - between one man and one woman. This, he argues (and I agree) is the way to stabilize society, as well as strengthen it.

"We must remember that behind the public policy debates and media influences are real human beings who are affected adversely by the disintegration of families. Among them are millions of hurting people - husbands, wives, and children - for whom everything stable and predictable has been shattered. They represent the agonies of loving wives who committed themselves wholly and unreservedly to men who later rejected them for other lovers. There are husbands who are struggling to raise their kids alone because their wives decided thy didn't want to be mothers anymore. And, of course, the break-up of families results in millions of pitiful children who cry themselves to sleep at night because they miss their mom or their dad who is not there to give them a hug or make them a treat. This is the legacy of divorce and sexual promiscuity. Social experimentation has produced these tiny victims who cry out for compassion and understanding. It is why I have committed my life to their cause and will continue to do so for as long as God gives me strength." (page 37)

I know this argument is not a popular one these days. I know there are cries for tolerance every which way you look. I know that people didn't like Dobson writing this book in the first place, let alone will they appreciate finding this post online. This may very well be the case but that does not remove my right to share my own opinion. So before the hagglers start howling in the comment section, remember to be kind and that this is my blog. We have equal rights to our own opinions. If you can talk, so can I.

I do believe that God designed and established marriage to be between one man and one woman. I believe that society falters and is gradually destroyed when we step away from that model. I think divorce and homosexual relationships are harmful to children and remove feelings of stability and safety from them. Generally speaking, this results in children feeling scared, alone, uncertain of themselves and leaves huge emotional scars for family members across the board.

I recognize that there is a spirit of individualism loose in society and that no one really appreciates being told what to do. We've latched onto relativism, saying that there is no truth and what is right for one person might not be right for another. We use this argument liberally, without realizing that to say there is no truth is to say there is. In other words, the argument doesn't hold and is not reliable. There has to be a standard and there has to be a truth. Without one, society is chaos. We are just beginning to feel the effects of that chaos.

If you do believe in God's design for marriage, I do think Dobson's call is right on in saying that we need to be brave enough to stand up and say so. He does not mince words and assures the reader that if you dare to take a stand, you will be attacked for it. People do not like being presented with a standard and/or a solid opinion that differs from their own. It isn't pleasant, but if we care to preserve traditional marriage then we'd best be prepared to stand up and speak politely, yet firmly, and without apology. It is certainly difficult. But I think it's the right thing to do.