Ruth Institute

Before Obergefell v. Hodges became the law of the land, @DrJrobackmorse warned that redefining marriage would reshape parenthood, family law, religious liberty, and the rights of children. At the time, many dismissed those concerns outright. As America approaches another Obergefell anniversary, we revisit her Rhode Island testimony over a decade later. Watch the testimony here: open.substack.com/pub/jenniferro…

A government employee should not be forced to choose between keeping his job and keeping his religious convictions. The county approved his religious exemption and then punished him for exercising it. That is ideological coercion and retaliation. Government employees do not surrender their constitutional rights when they take a public job. Religious liberty protections still apply to them. The controversy here is not about whether pride flags can exist. It’s about whether the government can compel an employee to participate in a symbolic act that violates his religious convictions. If religious beliefs “don’t matter” once someone becomes a government employee, then religious liberty exists only for private citizens and that is a very dangerous precedent for a free society.

When marriage stops being expected, it stops being pursued. If men and women can receive the benefits of marriage without marriage itself, fewer people will see a reason to marry. The result is more instability for adults and children.

“People who seriously practice a traditional religious faith—whether Christian or other—have a divorce rate markedly lower than the general population. The factor making the most difference is religious commitment and practice. What appears intuitive is true. Couples who regularly practice any combination of serious religious behaviors and attitudes—attend church nearly every week, read their bibles and spiritual materials regularly; pray privately and together; generally take their faith seriously, living not as perfect disciples, but serious disciples—enjoy significantly lower divorce rates than mere church members, the general public, and unbelievers….” Read further: str.org/w/the-christia…

Careers matter. Families matter more.

The strongest rebellion today might be staying married.

Europe is learning the hard way that once “hate speech” laws are untethered from actual threats or violence, they become tools to punish dissent from approved ideology. No one should face criminal prosecution for expressing historic Christian teachings on marriage and sexuality. A free society must protect the right to speak truthfully about controversial issues even when elites disapprove. Let’s call this what it is: religious persecution.

As we approach Nuclear Family Month in just one week (Thank you, Tennessee!), and the anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, it’s worth asking a question our culture rarely allows: What is marriage actually for? For decades, the debate over marriage has focused almost entirely on adult desires, fulfillment, and autonomy. But marriage was never merely a private arrangement between consenting adults. It has always served a public purpose: connecting children to their mother and father whenever possible. This post explores the non-religious reasons society has historically recognized marriage between a man and a woman as uniquely important. These are arguments grounded not in theology, but in human nature, social reality, and the rights of children themselves. open.substack.com/pub/jenniferro…

@BradWilcoxIFS @aaron_renn Absolutely!

@RuthInstitute 💯 this is a real issue today! But @aaron_renn’s point was that a woman w big debt can in some cases be a red flag 🚩 for men who are considering marriage, as well.

Why don’t women want to marry a man with substantial debt? They want a man who is prepared to build a stable future. Substantial debt can signal delayed responsibility, financial instability, impulsive decision-making, or an inability to provide security for a future family. Marriage joins lives, goals, and finances together. Debt affects all three.

There is no demographic happier in life than married mothers and fathers.

To the United States military personnel who sacrificed their lives while serving in the Armed Forces, and to the families who love them, mourn them, and carry their memory—we offer our deepest gratitude, prayers, and remembrance this Memorial Day. May God bless them and the United States of America. #MemorialDay

Casual sex has consequences: Sexually transmitted diseases. Unplanned pregnancies. Emotional attachment without long-term commitment. Higher rates of relationship instability. Increased risk of heartbreak, betrayal, and trust issues. The normalization of using people for pleasure rather than commitment. Children growing up without stable family structures. Modern culture treats sex as casual recreation detached from responsibility, commitment, or family life. But sex has never been consequence-free. What people do in private shapes individuals, relationships, families, and society itself.

The science is clear: gender dysphoria is a mental health issue that needs to be treated, not indulged with sex-rejecting treatments. Watch this full episode of the RAW Podcast with Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine here: youtu.be/Anqg7seFz2Y

The poison fruit of the feminist movement.

Your state just got graded on how well it protects children, and the results are a call to action. Them Before Us released a report card ranking all 50 states on children’s rights and family policy. Pennsylvania ranked 30th in the nation with a C grade. The scorecard examined issues like surrogacy, IVF, divorce policy, and parentage laws — all through one central question: Do our laws put the rights and well-being of children first? Here in Pennsylvania, our law recognizes natural marriage and includes language that recognizes mothers and fathers. But a 2025 PA Supreme Court decision established intent-based parentage and allowed adults to gain full parental rights over children with no biological connection and no background check. These aren't just legal debates, either. They're policies that shape identity and stability for children. Children do not vote. They do not lobby lawmakers. They depend on us to protect their interests. Children depend on informed citizens willing to step into the arena. Sign up for our email alerts and stay equipped with timely updates and action opportunities to help protect children and renew our Commonwealth. Visit pafamily.org/email to get informed today! @ThemBeforeUs

“Married men and women, married fathers and married mothers are doing much better emotionally than their fellow Americans who are single childless.”

A challenge for you: Be gentler with yourself. Abuse survivors often speak to themselves with a level of harshness they would never use toward someone else. Healing does not grow well in shame, self-hatred, or constant self-criticism. So this week, challenge yourself to pause when the inner criticism starts. Replace one cruel thought with one truthful one. “I should be over this by now.” → “Healing doesn’t follow a timeline.” “It was my fault.” → “I was not responsible for someone else’s wrongdoing.” “I can’t trust myself.” → “I’m learning to trust myself again.” “I’m too broken for healing.” → “My story is still unfolding.” “I’m alone in this.” → “God is with me, even when I feel alone.” Small shifts in how we speak to ourselves are an important part of healing. You are allowed to heal without punishing yourself. #FridaysWithFaith #HealingJourney #SurvivorHealing #Faith #Hope