The Vomit Awards - David Mainse

David Mainse is a Canadian and is the founder of Crossroads Ministries and 100 Huntley Street. Currently, he is the "Minister of Evangelism and Social Action" for Crossroads Ministries.

David Mainse is a Christian leader who is speaking out against same-sex marriages. Speaking out against same-sex marriages is not an adequate reason to receive the You Make Jesus Vomit award. What one says when opposing gay marriages, however, might cause one to win the award.

In an February 2004 television program that is cited an internet article, David Mainse draws a parallel between the adoption of same-sex marriage in Norway and a high rate of children born out of wedlock.  According to his Marriage Canada web site, Norway allowed for gay marriages in 1993.  He comments,  "Since 1993 . . . Norway's out of wedlock birth rate has shot up dramatically."  His comments about Norway can be read at Marriage Canada.  In another statement on Marriage Canada, David Mainse indicates there has been a 25% increase in the number of unmarried people in Denmark raising children since Denmark allowed gay marriages. He appears to see a link between same sex marriages and single-parent families, as he states, "Here's the source of the decay. Since same-sex marriage at the beginning of the nineties, there has been a 25% increase in the number of people unmarried and with children."

Another internet commentary on Marriage Canada's web site draws a correlation between allowing same-sex marriages and a heavy burden on social services.  He notes 60% of the children in Denmark are born out of wedlock and then states this places a burden on social services.  He continues stating, "Who pays the price? -the children and the citizens who pay the highest taxes in the world because of the heavy burden of social services."  He continues to exaggerate to make his point when he comments, "to change the definition of the word "marriage" is already proven an utter social disaster for humanities' most enduring covenant or sacrament, one man, one woman marriage to the exclusion of all others."

Divorce rates were high in Canada and the United States long before gay marriages were being seriously considered or debated.  Gay people are not the cause of the high rates of divorce and marital breakdown we current see in North America.  Reasons for high divorce rates are complex and cannot be attributed to only one factor.

Conservative estimates indicate 2 to 3% of the population is gay.  One is hard pressed to understand how 2 to 3% of the population could cause 60% of the children of a country to be born outside of wedlock or could place a heavy burden on social services.  A group of people that makes up 2 to 3% of the population cannot be responsible for the high divorce rates we see in western Europe and in North America.  This does not makes sense.

Even using the liberal figure of 10% of the population being gay does not support the conclusion that allowing for gay marriages has caused a major increase in the birth of children in single-parent homes or has been a drain on social service.  There is little logic in the argument David Mainse makes.   

David Mainse, because you implied that same-sex marriages and gay people cause high divorce rates, high rates of single-parent homes and high taxes we award you with the "You Make Jesus Vomit" award.

David Mainse, God wants pastors to use their energies to win people to the faith and to support the faithful. We call on you to concentrate on the mandate of the church. Our hope is that this award will help you understand the need to reach out in love, instead of protesting, using heated and illogical methods of debate.