To some, the amendment seems redundant.

State law already bans marriage between people of the same sex. However, a Constitutional amendment would prevent courts from striking down the state law, as courts in Boston and San Francisco did.

While a man handed out Moore political signs from a box about 150 yards from the speakers, Moore told gatherers, “This is not a political issue, it a moral issue,” he said. “When we forget God, we forget our morals.”

The crowd applauded.

Failing to vote for the amendment may have repercussions, said Tim Anderson, one of several speakers at the event.

“You get to choose today, “ he told the crowd. “When we stand before God, we won’t get to choose.”

His remarks drew widespread applause and some “Amens.”

The rally, called the Stand Up For Traditional Marriage Rally, was sponsored by the Athens Limestone for Quality of Life Committee, a group which reformed this year under chairman Mike Westmoreland. Westmoreland is pastor of Madison Street Baptist Church.

The proposed amendment defines marriage in the state Constitution as a union between a man and a woman only.

It would also prevent Alabama from recognizing same-sex marriages from other states.

State legislators voted in March 2005 to put the amendment on the June 6 ballot. It is sponsored by Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Albertville, and cosponsored by 11 other senators.

Fear for Alabama’s children prompted Mitchem to sponsor the amendment. He said he watched television coverage of a rally in San Francisco in which two men were kissing.

“That was not conducive to the welfare of our children, “ he told The News Courier Friday.

What it says

The proposed Sanctity of Marriage Act — also known as senate bill 109 — states in part: