Are fathers necessary?

“Artificial insemination is the ideal method of producing a pregnancy, and a lesbian partner should have the same parenting rights accorded historically to biological fathers.” Quoted from the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, summer of 1995.

You did not see a few isolated reports. There is an international agenda seeking to render fathers legally obsolete. Regardless of their legal success, fathers will always be critical to a healthy society. The United States is becoming overrun with fatherless homes, and suffering the consequences. This epidemic is causing our society to disintegrate and succumb to rampant crime, drug abuse, and poverty.

Fathers are critical to both sons and daughters. Sons need fathers to learn about being a godly man; how to fear God (Proverbs 1:7), have self-control, work hard, and respect women, just to name a few. Try as she might, mom alone will be hard-pressed to teach a son these valuable lessons. For daughters, their entire self-image comes from how they are treated by their fathers. A woman’s relationship with men will likely mirror her relationship with her father. The future of kids, regardless of gender, is firmly anchored in their relationship to their fathers.

Fathers, you have a tremendous responsibility. It’s not just your job to teach children how to become adults. Nearly everything they know about God they will learn from watching you (Acts 16:31). You are a representative of God, don’t let Him down.

Taken from Adrian Rogers' weekly newspaper column. Used by permission. 2001, The Commercial Appeal.