The nuclear family: dad, mom, kids. It’s a key concept in Western society and it’s founded on the principle of mom and dad – your biological or adoptive mom and dad – as your “parents.”
But as of last week, Rhode Island has decided to redefine the conception of “parenthood,” with it disrupting our concept of the family.
Our Governor just signed the “Uniform Parentage Act” into law and in doing so said that Rhode Island’s parentage laws were “outdated” and failed to recognize the diversity of modern families.
This Act spells out the vision of radical activists to redefine “parenthood” in a way that reads more like science fiction. It creates a path to legal parental rights beyond natural or adoptive parenthood to include LGBTQIA+ and even surrogacy. This new law reduces “parenthood” to a contract about a child, erasing the basic understanding of what it means to be a mom or dad. The family in Rhode Island has been re-defined just as marriage was re-defined.
Rhode Island lawmakers are not the only ones re-defining the family. While the Black Lives Matter organization rightly advocates for racial equality, it has also put forward a modern Marxist view of family, saying:
“We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable. We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from… the belief that all in the world are heterosexual.”
At times it may feel that the assault on the family, COVID-19 and the violent riots are too much to overcome. Psalm 42:5 describes those same thoughts: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” But the psalmist doesn’t stop there. He goes on in faith, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” It’s OK to be disturbed by what’s happening – but as Christians we can’t stay there. Here are two things we can do in the face of these challenging times.
1. Pray!
Every Tuesday morning a group of about 25 mostly young adults are doing just that here in Rhode Island.
For quite a while now, they have been meeting on Tuesdays from 8 – 8:30 AM, to just simply pray quietly (individually or as a group), no spectacle or pomp. Julius Hoff began this effort. Julius is the Awakening Church Campus Director for Providence and he likens it to a movement. You can follow them on Facebook at #kneeltogether. I attended this weekly gathering and was encouraged by it. I’d encourage pastors to participate, even once a month, to add your support. Others can pray during that time at home or work.
Now more than ever, Rhode Island needs this time of prayer. It may be difficult to watch what’s happening in our country, but that Tuesday prayer meeting jogged my memory about the Great Layman’s Prayer Revival of 1857-1858. Each “Great Awakening” in America was preceded by prayer. Perhaps this is the time for our next Great Awakening?
2. Take action by supporting Family Policy Alliance.
While we move forward through this new season of American life with prayer, we also move forward with the knowledge that God uses his people to bring about change in their culture.
That’s why more than ever, Rhode Island needs Family Policy Alliance. We are working to bring your values to our government – no matter how hard it gets.
To do that, though, we do rely on the sacrificial gifts of believers who share our vision of a nation where God is honored, families thrive, life is cherished, and religious freedom flourishes. Do you share that vision? And if so, would you consider a monthly gift to help us make it a reality?
If you want to support us financially, ask me to speak to your church or event, or help friends sign up for this newsletter, please check out Unleashing Biblical Citizenship in Rhode Island. We’re excited about this new webpage!
Steadfastly,
Dave Aucoin
Chairman, Board of Advisors – Rhode Island
P.S. Our partner, ADF Church Alliance, is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, August 4 at 2PM ET to cover these critical rulings and provide you with clear analysis about what they mean for churches and ministries across America.
During this webinar, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of ADF attorneys about what the Court said in recent rulings, how these decisions can impact people of faith, and ways churches and ministries across America can better protect their religious freedom.
We encourage you to attend and get practical insight into recent Supreme Court rulings and how they affect churches and ministries across America. Please register HERE.
