Hundreds of Christians celebrated July 4th with prayer and praise during a traditional marriage rally, "Declaration of Dependence: One Nation Under God," on the steps of the Texas State Capital in Austin, Texas.

Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, one of the leaders in the movement to protect traditional marriage, spoke to the rally after delivering a message at Church at Canyon Creek's Sunday service. He derided the pervasive effects of judicial tyranny: prayer banned rom public schools, the Ten Commandments removed from public places, the words "under God" ommitted from the Pledge of Allegiance, and lastly, traditional marriage redefined.

"Citizens of the Lone Star state see the need to amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the institution of marriage in their state," asserted Perkins in his Washington Update.

Perkins will again be speaking in support of marriage between one man and one woman during the live simulcast hosted by FRC on June 11, a day before the Senate is expected to vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Pro-homosexual activists from the The Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (LGRL) and Soulforce Austin also attended the event as part of a counter-rally, which aimed to reshape the stereotypes made of homosexuals. Homosexuals in support homosexual marriage wore shirts that read "I can't" on the front while those of their heterosexual allies read "I do." On the back of both read, "Come out and support marriage."

Sunday's rally was organized by Takeup.org, founded by Rob Hurlburt, describes itself as "a new online advocacy organization created to wake up the 'Sleeping Giant' (the Church) in America and enlist, educate and train new Kingdom Activists."