The recent decision by a slim 4-3 majority of the California Supreme Court to legalize "homosexual marriage" has brought into focus the urgent need to pass the Marriage Amendment on the November ballot, according to a conservative coalition leader.

Ron Prentice, chairman of ProtectMarriage.com and CEO of the California Family Council, said, "These four activist judges have literally trashed the votes of more than 4 million Californians who approved Proposition 22, which reaffirmed the longstanding definition of marriage, and never before have we seen such bold disregard for the will of the voters."

Prentice said the answer to the ruling is to "override these judges by putting the true definition of marriage directly into the state constitution."

He noted ProtectMarriage.com gathered enough signatures to qualify the marriage amendment for the ballot. He added that a formal announcement and assignment of a "Proposition" number by the California secretary of state are scheduled for early June.

"We must launch the campaign right now to begin persuading the voters to vote ‘yes’ in November," Prentice declared.

"This is going to be a difficult fight. Within just minutes of the Supreme Court’s ruling, our opponents had already turned their attention to plans to defeat the marriage amendment, so that the court’s decision to legalize homosexual marriage will be allowed to stand."

Prentice said it will take an "interdenominational effort to mobilize a grassroots effort" to overturn the judges’ decision and give marriage its rightful place in the California constitution.

Prentice said ProtectMarriage.com will provide talking points so Christians can speak to the issue. He also noted it will be important for churches to know what they can and cannot do related to the political process, adding, "Churches can do far more than what they think they can. Churches should not be intimidated into thinking they cannot speak to this issue, because they can."

He said information on the "resources" page of ProtectMarriage.com outlines issues related to churches’ rights.

One of the areas in which churches can work is voter registration. Prentice said the percentage of non-voting Christians is significant, and that ProtectMarriage.com is encouraging congregations to initiate voter registration campaigns for members.

Another area of concern is funding for the campaign. "We know from battles in other states that we will be outspent at least three times what we raise for this endeavor," Prentice explained.

"This campaign is going to be expensive," he added, "but we have no choice but to rely on committed friends to raise the funds needed to win this campaign."

Prentice said the easiest way to donate is to go to ProtectMarriage.com and look for the "Contribute" or "How to Help" links on the home page.