Washington, D.C.—The National Organization for Marriage today expressed gratitude to World Vision’s Leadership and Board for reaffirming the sanctity of marriage and the pivotal importance of marriage to Christian tradition and life.

“The Christian view of marriage clearly holds that it is the union of one man and one woman,” said Brian Brown, NOM President. “It was for this reason that many were dismayed earlier this week by the news that World Vision was compromising its stance upon this Biblical value by a new policy that would recognize the validity of ‘marriage’ between same-sex persons. Today’s reversal is cause for celebration and congratulation. World Vision has listened to their supporters and congregations worldwide and chosen to stand by the Christian truth of marriage in spite of what must be immense pressure from the radical same-sex ‘marriage’ lobby.”

World Vision’s website explains that the organization will “bear witness to the redemption offered only through faith in Jesus Christ. The staff we engage are equipped by belief and practice to bear this witness. We will maintain our identity as Christian while being sensitive to the diverse contexts in which we express that identity.” Brown identified this as the crux of the tension that erupted earlier in the week. 

“World Vision expects those it engages as staff to live by the Christian principles and teachings to which the organization was founded to bear witness,” Brown explained. “This is why so many people were upset by the organization’s proposal to begin hiring staff who had participated in same-sex ‘marriages.’ The truth of the Christian message is that love for all and respect for God’s will in marriage are not exclusive propositions: they can, indeed they must, coincide. True love for all of God’s children means recognizing and holding sacred God’s plan for the human family.” 

The National Organization for Marriage is joining with Christian Union and The Manhattan Declaration in encouraging their supporters to visit http://www.facebook.com/WorldVisionStandingforMarriage and express appreciation for the Board’s decision.