#258 Thanksgiving’s Forgotten Ingredient; Thoughts on the Respect for Marriage Act

I recently re-read Washington’s and Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamations setting out the purpose of the holiday (Washington declared a day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and Lincoln announced our ongoing Thanksgiving holiday in 1864). The text of these proclamations struck me because they both contain a purpose (or ingredient) that we do not normally incorporate into our Thanksgiving festivities–but should. Both Washington and Lincoln declared that, on Thanksgiving Day, we should (1) give thanks for God’s goodness and greatness and (2) humble ourselves and repent of our national and personal sins. I was convicted by this. We often do the former (give thanks), but we should take a note from these Presidents and include a prayer of repentance and a plea for mercy. In sum, repentance is the forgotten ingredient of Thanksgiving. Speaking of ways we have disregarded God’s good guidance in our society, the poorly named Respect for Marriage Act is expected to pass through Congress and to be signed by President Biden into law. Here is my analysis of this law: Marriage is between a man and a woman. The RFMA is a moral declaration. The RFMA disregards the needs and rights of children. The RFMA jeopardizes religious freedom. Key Takeaways: Link to the text of the RFMA as currently proposed in the U.S. Senate. Congressional finding concerning marriage: “(1) No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family.” Congressional finding concerning proponents of Biblical marriage: “Diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by reasonable and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises. Therefore, Congress affirms that such people and their diverse beliefs are due proper respect.” Congressional finding concerning the reliance interest: “Millions of people, including interracial and same-sex couples, have entered into marriages and have enjoyed the rights and privileges associated with marriage. Couples joining in marriage deserve to have the dignity, stability, and ongoing protection that marriage affords to families and children.” The RFMA’s solution to a problem that isn’t a problem: ““Consistent with the First Amendment to the Constitution, nonprofit religious organizations, including churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, nondenominational ministries, interdenominational and ecumenical organizations, mission organizations, faith-based social agencies, and other nonprofit entities whose principal purpose is the study, practice, or advancement of religion, and any employee of such a nonprofit religious organization, shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges for the solemnization or celebration of a marriage. Any refusal under this subsection to provide such services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges shall not create any civil claim or cause of action.” The RFMA’s statement concerning impact outside of the marriage context, “No Impact on Status and Benefits Not Arising From a Marriage.–Nothing in this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to deny or alter any benefit, stat