He noted that in nearly every culture,” marriage is “a social institution with the primary purpose of ensuring that the next generation grows up in a secure, loving, balanced environment… guided by both male and female parents. Children learn different traits from both genders.”
“What message do we send to children when an institution as vital as marriage can be irrevocably altered simply because a particular group demands it?” he asked. “Redefining a social institution as important as marriage gives precedent to future redefinitions, further weakening it.”
He also recognized that traditional marriage today often “falls short its ideals,” but explained that “redefining it will make our problems worse, not better.”
Maine joins the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa in allowing same-sex “marriages.” The New Hampshire House is also scheduled to vote on a similar bill today.