In reply to Daniel Gorman.

Daniel- regarding your comments:
1. "Did you disrespect the Constitution of the United States when you described a future, hypothetical ruling of its Supreme Court as creating an “alleged” constitutional right to same-sex marriage (Small Catechism, Table of Duties, Concerning Civil Government)?" and 2. "Did Supreme Court justices swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States or “God’s created orders, natural law, and the inerrant Scriptures” (Augsburg Confession XVI)". I respond, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” - John Adams (American 2nd US President (1797-1801).
3. "Why, In the face of another radical cultural shift — a denial of God and His creation, a rejection of Christ, the Ten Commandments and God-given natural law”, do you begrudge civil government the use of same-sex marriage as a tool to better control homosexual crime and promiscuity (Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 11)" and 4."You address the letter to “Dear brothers”. You refer to your “dear brothers in the Office” in the body of the letter. You sign the letter as a reverend. Didn’t you take an oath, as a holder of an ecclesiastical office, not to “interfere with judgments concerning civil ordinances or contracts” (Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 13)", I respond, no one has begrudged civil government the use of same-sex marriage as a tool to better control homosexual crime and promiscuity. However, as SSM is in opposition to God's intended plan for families, it would be best to keep it in the civil government realm than to force it upon groups of religious people who do not hold the same ideology. Finally, you write, "Aren’t you encouraging disrespect for a future, hypothetical Supreme Court ruling that all Christians must obey “save only when commanded to sin” (Augsburg Confession, XVI)", I respond, that the future, hypothetical ruling would be unconstitutional, violating the 1st amendment right to freedom of religion. Actually, to force religious groups to perform religious marriage ceremonies for SS couples is unconstitutional as well, again violating the 1st amendment right to freedom of religion.