Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

The consensus of opinion among conservative leaders in America is that the U.S. Supreme Court’s  decisions open the door not only to same-sex marriage, but to an outright imposition of the Culture of Death and a war on religious liberty.

In a blog appearing on Patheos, Father Dwight Longenecker admits to being frightened by what these landmark decisions will do to a nation that is already locked in a fierce culture war.

“This week we’ve seen homosexual protesters screaming and shouting abuse at a Catholic Mass. At this Mass, celebrated by Cardinal George, a homosexual protester used the Holy Eucharist as a political tool to holler out his rage at the Catholic Church. . . . Then, this morning we learn that the Supreme Court has ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and homosexual ‘marriage’ in California cannot be challenged by the people,” Fr. Longenecker writes.

Even more frightening is the reality that “the powers of the mass media and the state are lining up with the powers of the Culture of Death. The homosexualists and those who back abortion and a huge proportion of the American population who support their views are joined by an even larger proportion of the American population who are indifferent and who perceive liberty as letting everybody do whatever they want.”

Meanwhile, an avalanche of “executive orders” are flowing from the White House, with increased surveillance and increased domestic police powers. “It will not take much at all to tip over into a secular totalitarian state with an aggressive Culture of Death agenda,” he writes.

And all of it is fueled by an irrational, demonic rage, he says. “This rage simmers behind the political arguments. It simmers beneath the ‘peaceful protests’. Most of all it simmers beneath what I call ‘the kindly mask of liberalism’. This is the smiling face of ‘concerned’ citizens who are ‘saddened’ by anyone who takes a conservative position.”

This is the same criticism made by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who accused the Justices who wrote the majority opinion in the case to be effectively declaring supporters of traditional values to be “enemies of the human race.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue agrees.

“Justice Scalia is not only correct, if anything he underestimates [the effect] because it’s already happened,” Donohue said. “It’s happened in the schools. … It’s being taught that if you resist the idea that marriage should extend to people of the same sex that you have a problem, that you’re bigoted. So it’s a total inversion of traditional morality.”

Charging anyone who disgrees with same-sex marriage with bigotry simply for voicing their opinion “is a very pernicious road to go down,” he warned.

While it might seem as though all is lost, this can never be the case, writes Family Research Council president Tony Perkins.

“What God imprinted on the human heart, no judge or court can change. The Court can declare same-sex ‘marriage’ a legal right in the eyes of government, but judges cannot make it morally right in the hearts of the people. This is an institution that carries God’s own signature. Even absent any faith, the natural order proves the only successful model for civilization is natural marriage.”

He adds: “The Left will say that we are on the wrong side of history, but that doesn’t matter if we’re on the right side of truth.”

Forty years ago, when Roe v. Wade was passed, many people thought the battle for life was lost. But over time, the pro-life movement and technology helped to change people’s hearts and minds to a new understanding of the unborn child.

“And we will do it again,” Perkins writes.

“As more Americans see and feel the erosion of religious liberty, of parental rights, of children’s innocence, and of conscience rights, their opinions will no longer be swayed by emotions and popular opinion — but by the reality of the fundamental harm that same-sex “marriage” poses to society. A generation from now, we could be celebrating the same sweeping victories on marriage that we’re experiencing on life. But it will take a faithful remnant. People in America’s pews and pulpits who have been silent can be silent no longer. For, ‘There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy’ (James 4:12).”

Whenever that sinking feeling of hopelessness is felt within us, let us remember the words of that beloved hymn, based on the words of the mighty prophet, Isaiah.

“We will run and not grow weary, for our God will be our strength, and we will fly like the eagle, we will rise again!”

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