November 7, 2006 is the "off-year" general election in these United States. All registered voters (Christians & non-Christians alike) are free to exercise their right to vote. As Christians, our convictions should not be "compartmentalized" but should impact every aspect of our lives as our number one priority (Mt. 6:33). While the church is not a political organization, Christians still have a right to voice their convictions. Christians have various opinions and preferences on such political questions such as taxes, healthcare, social security, education, and foreign policy. But this article does not concern any of these questions or any political party or candidate.

This article does concern Christians using this opportunity on the ballot to "let our lights shine" (Mt. 5:14-16) with their righteous influence voiced in favor of morality. Voters in Tennessee will be given the opportunity to vote YES on an amendment defining marriage in our state (see also Mt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33). Simply stated, this proposed amendment to the Tennessee State Constitution specifies that only a marriage between one man and one woman can be legally recognized in the state of Tennessee. No other definition of marriage will be recognized as legal and enforceable in Tennessee. This amendment would also prohibit same-sex marriages within the state.

According to a Mason-Dixon poll, 73% of registered voters in Tennessee are in favor of the amendment, 20% are opposed, and 7% are undecided. Twenty other states have passed similar marriage protection amendments. When you cast your vote for governor, this amendment comes next on the ballot. Here is the amendment as it will appear:

"Constitution Amendment #1 Shall Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section: SECTION___. The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state."

Please do not allow any complicated legal wording to cause you merely to skip over it or to leave it blank. In order for this amendment to pass, it is not enough to win the majority of votes cast. It must receive a number of YES votes equal to 50% of the votes cast in the governor's election, plus one. For example, about 1,600,000 total votes were cast in the 2002 governor's race. If this same vote number is cast in the 2006 governor's election, then 50% of that number is 800,000. In order to pass, the amendment would need at least 800,001 YES votes. To vote in the governor's race and leave the amendment vote blank will have the same effect as voting NO (or against the amendment).

So opponents of the amendment do not even have to convince people to vote against the amendment; they just have to convince people not to vote at all on the proposed marriage amendment. It is my understanding that the opponents (including gay activists) plan to spend millions on a media campaign to keep people from voting at all and to confuse voters by fear and half-truths. Rallies on both sides of this issue will occur in Nashville on Oct. 16.

Remember that Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

If you believe that marriage is a solemn relationship between one man and one woman then vote YES on the amendment. If you fail to vote YES, then you have voted NO. If the amendment fails, it cannot be brought back again for four years. Guided by biblical principles, Christians have a great opportunity to vote your convictions on the definition of marriage.