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"God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools... and He has not been disappointed.... If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world." - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
INTRODUCTION
New York City, considered by many to be the 'capital of the world,' is a very strategic place in terms of media, entertainment, fashion and economy. Most popular culture in the Western World has its origin here. There is a certain type of sophistication in New Yorkers that is quite unique. This city could almost be said to be the antithesis of the 'Bible Belt' of the southwestern United States.
SO SOPHISTICATED
It has been a major challenge to see any impact for Christ in a city that is divided in many respects. Thankfully, I have seen the church make great strides for unity and speaking with one voice in the six years I have been here. The efforts of the three networks that I work with in this area (City Covenant Coalition, City Action Coalition and NJ Faith Alliance) to promote kingdom principles and cultural transformation received a major boost over the last twelve months since we decided to take a stand to uphold traditional marriage in the face of ardent efforts by 'sophisticated' (read 'radical left wing liberals' and the gay lobby) Northeasterners from Massachusetts to New York City who want to redefine this foundational institution to include any union, in addition to that of one man and one
 woman. Many denominations and movements that may not have stood with us on other issues united with us on the issue of traditional marriage.
AT AN OPPORTUNE TIME
Many will be aware of the three events we hosted recently, beginning with a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall last March, followed by the July 25th Traditional Marriage Renewal Day Rally on Broadway and then the Statewide Clergy Defense of Marriage Press Conference in Trenton, NJ on October 4, 2004. The recent presidential election sent a clear message that the vast majority of Americans do not want to redefine marriage.
In Luke 4:1, we read, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." Jesus had successfully resisted the devil's temptation, but that was not the end of it. Satan would come back at 'an opportune time.' Despite the nation's expression of sentiments to the contrary, just a few days ago, a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge ruled that the current law on marriage in New York State is generic enough to allow same sex marriage. This judge's decision goes against three other NY Supreme Court judges who recently made rulings (one as recently as the day before this decision) upholding the current marriage laws. When one unelected public official can arbitrarily change the definition of marriage for an entire society, we have a serious problem!
OFF TO CITY HALL WE GO!
Sophistication implies an acceptance of diverse cultural trends and lifestyles. Often these are at odds with Judeo Christian morality and the tolerance espoused and demanded by these sophisticates does not flow to those who hold to traditional values, who are regarded as narrow minded fools by these progressives. Despite all this, the church must have the courage to stand up for this issue of traditional marriage in the face of ridicule by the media and social elites or everything will begin to fall. So, it's back to City Hall we go!
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