Carol Soelberg Blog
Help UFI Make History for Families
Posted by Carol Soelberg | May 2, 2007
In just nine days, United Families International and many of our international colleagues will gather to form pro-family strategy during the World Congress of Families IV (WCF IV) in Warsaw, Poland. The theme of the congress is "Beyond Demographic Winter: The Natural Family as the Spring Time for Nations." Allan Carlson, the international secretary of WCF IV says this event is not going to be an idle exercise for the 3,000 people attending.
"There's no denying that the eyes of the world's families will be upon us," Carlson said, "...they will assist us in the ongoing work which started in Prague in 1997 with World Congress of Families I and continued in Geneva in 1999 and Mexico City in 2004 -- forging an international pro-family movement that reminds rulers and elites that the natural family is the indispensable building bloc of a humane society."
Indeed, this is a pivotal time for the family. Poland is under attack from the European Union for resisting the homosexual agenda. The World Congress of Families is under attack merely for defending traditional family values. It is more important than ever that we stand up against anti-family radicals. As a co-sponsoring organization of The World Congress of Families, an international network of pro-family organizations, scholars and leaders, we seek to restore the natural family as the fundamental social unit and the "seedbed" of civil society.
Poland's President Lech Kaczynski will serve as honorary patron of the Congress. Many other luminaries in the pro-family movement will address the congress, including Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration.
UFI will be well represented at the congress, in an effort to arm our administrative staff for the battles to defend marriage and family. I will have an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion on "The Mother in the Home and the New Home Economics". We will come away from WCF IV with new strategies, energy and commitment to secure a future for the family that will keep you in the forefront of the issues.
Please go to our website and read more about the World Congress of Families IV, taking place May 11-13.
Along with the focus and direction we gain from the congress, we need financial support to maintain our place in the public square of family policy debate. We have made solid contributions around the globe and we will continue to do so -- as long as we have the funding to do so. Will you please help us with a contribution today?
The contribution we receive from you will enable us to do the following:
Demonstrate why marriage between one man and one woman serves the greatest benefits for society: A loving and compassionate society never creates motherless and fatherless families, but it does come to their aid. Same-sex families are not necessarily driven by the needs of children, but rather by the radical wishes of a small group of adult activists. There is no child development theory that says children need two parents of the same gender. The evidence points toward the many benefits gained by children who live with their biological mothers and fathers.
Raise awareness about the adverse impact that same-sex "marriage" has had where it is legal: In nations where same-sex "marriage" is legal, marriage between heterosexuals is in decline, and cohabitation is on the rise. As a result, children are placed at heightened risks of poverty, physical abuse and poor outcomes overall. Women face increased risks of domestic violence. Children suffer when either a mother or a father is not present in the home. Personal and religious freedoms tend to be removed in societies where same-sex "marriage" is allowable, most notably in Canada.
Educate the public on why cohabiting is bad for women, children and society: Cohabitation is inferior in social outcomes to the married, intact, two-parent family. It is damaging to the social well-being of women and children. Cohabitation places great strain on units of government that deal with social, correctional and welfare issues, while leaving in its wake a trail of broken relationships. Read more in the soon-to-be-released UFI publication, "Guide to Family Issues: Cohabitation vs. Marriage."
Demonstrate the suffering that abortion causes families: Post-abortive women run risks for numerous physical and psychological complications. For most women, aborting a child violates their conscience; for few women, aborting a child is their own choice. Children are placed at greater risks of abuse from post-abortive mothers. Also, fathers whose babies have been aborted can suffer mental anguish. Relationships between the mother and father of an aborted child frequently go sour. Abortion doctors and employees have reported problems with anger and depression. In the case of incest, abortions cover up the crime and destroy the evidence for wrongdoers, who may continue abusing young girls who have had abortions. For additional information, see the UFI publication, "Guide to Family Issues: Abortion."
Thank you for your generous support!
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