When the Massachusetts courts ruled that gays and lesbians could not be denied the same legal rights related to marriage as straight couples there was a predictable outcry from the Right.  Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the most prominent leaders of the Religious Right, compared the court's decision to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

The most basic argument against granting gays and lesbians marriage equality has been that in doing so the institution of marriage itself would be harmed.  What has been the impact thus far in Massachusetts?  Bruce Wilson provides the answer:

Divorce rates in the US have been declining steadily since the early 1980's.  Massachusetts has shared in the trend and traditionally has had a divorce rate considerably lower than the national average. In fact, for several years now the Commonwealth has had the lowest divorce rate of any state in the union.

In 2004 the Massachusetts divorce rate, at 2.2 per 1,000 residents per year, was considerably lower than the US national average rate for that year, 3.8 per 1,000. Indeed, it was lower than the national average rate for 1950 (2.6 per 1,000) and even approached the national rate of 1940 (2 per 1,000).

In 2003, total divorces in Massachusetts declined 2.1% relative to 2002. But in the first two years of legal same sex marriage in the Bay State, Massachusetts showed a more rapid decline and will very likely hold on to its title as the US state with the lowest divorce rate in the nation. The field is hotly contested -- divorce rates have fallen dramatically in the last few decades.

The institution of marriage in Massachusetts, as measured by the rate of divorce, has not been healthier in at least half a century regardless of dire predictions of Christian Right leaders and Catholic Bishops.  But the states that have taken aggressive action against same sex marriage, have not done nearly as well during the two year period of legal same sex marriage in Massachusetts.

This month marks the one year anniversary since the overwhelming decision of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ to support marriage equality.  The resolution declared:

Ideas about marriage have shifted and changed dramatically throughout human history, and such change continues even today. At different points marriage has been defined in response to economic realities, by the primacy of procreation and by societal understandings of the role of men and women. In the Gospel we find ground for a definition of marriage and family relationships based on affirmation of the full humanity of each partner, lived out in mutual care and respect for one another. Scripture itself, along with the global human experience, offers many different views of family and how family is to be defined. This unfolding revelation and understanding needs to be weighed carefully by people of faith considering the issue of equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender. Jesus radically challenged his traditional cultural roles and concepts of family life. Jesus boldly declared members of the household/family of God to be whoever hears and follows the will of God.

Gay marriage is not threat to America.  What is truly threatening to our society are those politicians and advocacy groups that seek to divide our nation in an attempt to achieve political gain.  Those who seek to deny civil rights to gays and lesbians are the political and theological heirs of those who fought against racial integration (including interracial marriages).  Our nation needs political and religious leaders who put the goals of reconciliation and justice ahead of personal ambition.