Contact: Eric Teetsel, 202-306-6266, eric_teetsel@colsoncenter.org

OPINION, June 24, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following statement is from Eric Teetsel, executive director of the Manhattan Declaration, a movement of Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical Christians advocating the sanctity of life, marriage and religious liberty:

This week, the Supreme Court will issue decisions in two cases involving the meaning and purpose of marriage. Whatever the results, it will not mean the end of our work to rebuild a culture of marriage and family.

More than half a million Americans have signed the Manhattan Declaration, affirming marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the beginning of family and the foundation of society. Many millions more of us still hold to this truth.

Should the Supreme Court affirm the meaning and purpose of marriage, we will breathe a sigh of relief. But we won't be satisfied.

If the Supreme Court rejects the time-honored purpose of marriage, it will be because the court -- like many of our friends, neighbors and colleagues -- has lost the meaning of marriage and its civic importance.

We will have no one to blame but ourselves. It will be our fault for failing to nurture and protect marriage, for looking the other way as rampant divorce, infidelity and sexual impurity chipped away at our moral authority.

It took generations to erode marriage and family, with disastrous consequences. Restoration may take just as long.

No matter this week's rulings, we will rededicate ourselves to renewing in American culture the profound beauty, mystery and holiness of faithful marriage. We will be patient in the light of any setbacks. And, in the end, we will succeed -- if we do not give up.

More about the Manhattan Declaration
Since its 2009 public launch, more than 540,000 citizens and prominent religious leaders have put their names on the declaration's 4,732-word statement affirming the inherent value of human life, marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and the rights of religious liberty and freedom of conscience. The Manhattan Declaration endorses civil disobedience under certain circumstances.

MEDIA NOTE: Spokesperson Eric Teetsel is available for interview but stationed in a remote area with poor cell reception; he may be reached via mobile at 202.306.6266, but is best available by email. Contact him directly at eric_teetsel@colsoncenter.org with interview requests and/or written questions for his response and review.