2021 | Week of June 14 | Radio Transcript #1416
Fatherhood. It’s a concept we don’t hear about all that frequently, at least positively, in our society. And yet it is a paramount theme in Scripture: God the Father, God’s instructions for fathers, admonitions for children to obey their fathers, the joys and pains of fatherhood, the relationship between the Father and the Son. Like the institution of marriage, fatherhood was designed by God and illustrates a unique aspect of His character.
Sadly, more and more children and young adults today have no earthly concept of fatherhood–or have one that is absolutely contrary to biblical fatherhood. Thus the concept of the heavenly Father is lost on them. Why is that? For more than 50 years, a sexual revolution sparked by “The Pill” has nearly destroyed the already weakening American family and stolen the birthright of a mother and a father from the more than 40% of children in this nation who are born every year out of wedlock. These children grow up without a father’s love and protection and the boys, in particular, miss out on an example of fatherhood.
What can we do for these precious children who have no father? Depending on where you live, there are many opportunities for you to get involved in helping fatherless children–Boys and Girls Clubs, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, church youth groups, sports clubs, and prison ministries, to name just a few. You don’t even need an organization—find a young person in your church or your community who needs a father image and get involved.
In addition, we need to make sure that state policies do not create an environment where fatherlessness is encouraged. Think about it—our divorce laws, marriage laws and welfare laws all contribute to fatherlessness!
In spite of what the courts have done to legally redefine marriage, we need to continue to shore up and promote God’s plan for marriage in our state and reject counterfeits that are most definitely not in the best interests of children.
In the area of divorce, we have no-fault, no-contest divorce in this state. No-fault divorce allows one person to allege that his/her marriage is “irretrievably broken” or has “irreconcilable differences” and the marriage is terminated—just like that. And since Wisconsin also has no-contest divorce, the other spouse can do absolutely nothing to stop the spouse seeking the divorce from obtaining it.
That’s why Wisconsin Family Council would like to see our divorce laws modified as they relate to couples with minor children where there is no adultery, abuse or abandonment. Where there were no such grounds for fault, both spouses would have to agree to the divorce and to the details of the divorce. We definitely disagree with the bill that is currently in our state legislature that would eliminate completely the waiting period after a divorce is finalized before a remarriage. Such a law would just make our already atrocious divorce laws worse.
We need to hold parents accountable for the welfare of their children. And the social science data, to say nothing of common sense, says that on all the wellbeing indicators, children raised by a married mother and father, fare the best by far.
The reality is we have no replacement for dad, and although we wish every child could experience the benefits of a loving, involved dad, we know that is not the reality. But let’s make sure we’re not creating policies that purposely deny children a father, encourage fatherlessness or make it unduly difficult for a father to be involved in his child’s life.
So, while we work to spread the Gospel and strengthen, preserve and promote marriage and family in Wisconsin, let’s make sure we recognize the dads who are there for their families, providing for them in so many ways and loving them. Theirs is not an easy job at any time, but it’s especially difficult in a challenging economy and in a society where fathers are marginalized and where men are constantly beset with temptations of all kinds. We are indeed grateful for the men—for the fathers—who are fighting the good fight, who are active participants in their children’s lives. You reflect the heart of God the Father. To all of you, Happy Father’s Day!
This is Julaine Appling for Wisconsin Family Council reminding you the prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Julaine Appling has taught on the junior high, high school, and college levels, and for five years was the administrator of a private school. In 1998 she was asked to become the Executive Director of Wisconsin Family Council, where her mission is to advance Judeo-Christian principles and values in Wisconsin by strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty. In addition to regularly being interviewed for Wisconsin television, radio, and newspapers, she is the host of "Wisconsin Family Connection," aired weekly on almost 50 radio stations in Wisconsin including the VCY America radio network.
Learn more at WIFamilyCouncil.org
