Statements are good for clarity. People need to know where we stand. As Western societies fall away from the cultural assumptions of Christendom, they are likely to be put off by strident and militant activism on behalf of traditional values. If churches can cultivate such a spiritual life in Christ Jesus that their members actually display the blessings of living according to God's word, their witness will be compelling, perhaps especially to those who have experienced the brokenness and turmoil that inevitably result from living according to their own selfish desires. If, in the political arena, compromise is required, we ought to insist that marriage be defined in terms of sexual faithfulness, and seek the curtailment of no-fault divorce. Let there be civil unions for those who desire non-exclusive and easily dissoluble unions. Statistically, same sex unions tend to involve more openness to outside sexual affairs, and tend to be less enduring. I doubt that a more rigorous standard for legal marriage would appeal to many of them, even if it were an option available to them. And shifting the focus away from issues of homosexual vs. heterosexual to covenant faithfulness would be consistent with the biblical heart of marriage, wherein we learn to imitate the Father's covenant faithfulness.