Huckabee: History Only Has One View of Marriage; 'Personal Passions' Behind Redefinition (Video Interview)
WASHINGTON – Only recently out of "personal passions" have people tried to change the definition of marriage, and that is not a valid reason to change such a long-lasting institution, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee told The Christian Post while at the Second Annual March for Marriage on Thursday
History has one definition for marriage, said Huckabee, who was a featured speaker at the event.
"If we look at history, history has only one real view and that is marriage is between one man and one woman," Huckabee explained. "You don't have a lot of history of any other version of marriage and when you do, it doesn't last very long."
He also told CP that he opted to speak at the March for Marriage as a way of showing that he and other social conservatives support something rather than oppose.
"I think it's so important that people of faith, and frankly even people who believe that marriage is the foundation and cornerstone of society, are here," said Huckabee. "Not to express what we're against, because this isn't about being against something. This is about being for marriage. And that's why we're here."
Held outside of the U.S. Capitol Building, the Second Annual March for Marriage brought thousands of people from across the country to demonstrate for traditional marriage.
Sponsored by the National Organization for Marriage, the event was also officially supported by other groups including the Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, The Frederick Douglas Foundation, Concerned Women for America, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the Coalition of African-American Pastors.
Among the diverse audience, a large number of Hispanics were in attendance and the rally reflected this ethnic presence.
Many of the presentations and rally signs were in Spanish as well as English, with hundreds of people from the crowd periodically participating in Spanish chants. "Quien vive?" (who lives?) shouted one of the speakers. "Cristo!" (Christ!), replied the audience.
As busloads of attendees arrived, a contemporary Christian band led worship with NOM President Brian Brown giving opening remarks and introducing the various speakers.
In their assorted remarks, speakers stressed the importance of children having a mother and a father, addressing throngs of attendees on Thursday morning.
After the speeches, the rally concluded and the large number of demonstrators marched to the nearby United States Supreme Court building.
Christopher Plante, spokesman with NOM, told CP before the official start of the rally that they were "thrilled" by the turnout already apparent as they arrived at the site.
"We're very excited, we came in on the bus just a few minutes ago to see all these people already here an hour early," said Plante, who stressed that the marriage definition debate was not over.
"It's absolutely not over. The battle for marriage, family is just beginning here. We will make a stand today," said Plante. "They can send a message to the Supreme Court, to the Congress that we want marriage defended in the law, politics, and culture."
In addition to Huckabee, others who spoke below the Capitol Dome included Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage; the Rev. Ruben Diaz, New York State Senator and president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization; Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., founder and president of the High Impact Leadership Coalition; and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum.