In Spite of Mockery, Young People are Standing for Traditional Marriage

“The media claims we don't exist.  Freedom Indiana [opponents] claims there are none of us left.  But as young Hoosiers, we are here today.”

 

Those were the words of Shane Weist, 33, who along with a group of more than 100 other young adults, held a press conference (11 Feb) in which they sought to prove that—despite media reports to the contrary—not every young person in America backs legally-sanctioned same-sex “marriage.”  Weist and his companions make up Young Hoosiers for Marriage, an Indiana-based group fighting for passage of House Joint Resolution-3 (HJR-3) – an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.  [A survey by Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research showed 54% of Hoosiers 18- to 34-year-olds support the amendment.]

 

Weist told reporters that Young Hoosiers for Marriage support the HJR-3 amendment.  “We are committed to rebuilding culture to ensure that children are not intentionally deprived of a mother and a father,” he added.

 

The Young Hoosiers’ public debut was met with mockery and derision by homosexual activists, who quickly launched a competing Facebook page called ‘Young Hoosiers 4 Marriage’ serving up personal attacks on Weist and his allies.

 

Since the press conference, the two state houses could not come to an agreement; therefore, the amendment will not appear on the general election ballot in November for approval by the voting citizens of Indiana.

 

While the Young Hoosiers for Marriage focused on getting the marriage amendment passed, they believe that is just the first battle in a larger war for the future of the culture.  They plan to expand their activism from the State House to Indiana's college campuses and church youth groups, giving talks on the importance of traditional marriage and participating in debates with supporters of same-sex “marriage.”

 

Since the press conference, Isaac Cramer, 24, of Young Hoosiers for Marriage told LifeSiteNews that, their group—which includes the 100+ young people at the press conference, plus “around another 100 who couldn't make it because they worked or had class”—has received many more requests from other young people in Indiana wanting to join.  Most of them are in their early 20s – juniors and seniors in college.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel