The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about this, so I will weigh in. I know my opinion means so much to them.
So...what do we do about gay marriage? The general consensus is that it is more and more acceptable in our culture. People aren't threatened by it like they once were. Most of us have friends and family members who are gay. Should it be legal?
As a Christian, I firmly believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality. It's not just that it's not a good 'lifestyle choice', but that it is wrong, a sin. Two scriptures in Leviticus and three in the NT cannot be spun in any other way...it's not just about pedophilia, or about temple prostitutes, or about inclinations. No, it's about acting on homosexual behavior, and Scripture is uniformly consistent that it is wrong. The fact that there are only five scriptures (many less than condemnations of heterosexual immorality, or greed, or injustice to the poor) should not convince us that this means nothing to God. Continually we see that it is an abomination (Leviticus) and keeping one from the kingdom from God (1 Corinthians). It is against our human nature (Romans) and against sound doctrine (1 Timothy). So Scripture is clear about this...it is not a behavior that is acceptable, especially for those who claim to be children of God.
But in recent years I've come to think that maybe homosexuals ought to have the right to marry. It's not that I think it any more right, and I would refuse to perform a homosexual wedding if I was ever asked. But here's why I think they ought to have marriage equality.
-1)If everything in our countries is about 'rights', then should people not have the right to marry whom they choose? The same people who are against gay marriage are the same ones who will scream if you take away any of their own rights. To be brief, let me just say that 'conservatives' really need to work out their idea of freedom, because right now it is a mess. They can't just pick and choose what ought to be legal, especially when many of their desires for freedom (to smoke, to buy handguns, etc.) are especially harmful to others. Gay marriage has not destroyed my family, an American family.
-2)If we have made marriage a cornerstone of civil policy, with many rights and advantages going to people who are married, then are homosexuals to not have the same opportunities? Should we not be affording people equal protection? We make marriage to be a tax advantage...should gay couples not have the same rights? We make it where marriage is a sacred bond that identifies two people as being their 'most important'...should a gay person not have the right to say who should be able to make decisions in regards to their lives in times of trouble?
It's not a perfect argument to be sure. And indeed, it leaves many questions about adoption and foster care policy, about issues of discrimination (which are usually overblown, BTW), and about the right of free speech (since, those of us who believe it to still be wrong are accused of 'hate speech' since we are holding an increasingly unpopular opinion). Two issues particularly concern me: First, what about polygamy? If we have changed the definition of marriage from 'one man, one woman' to 'two consenting adults', why not change it to whatever we want it to be? Why cannot a couple become a triad? Or any number of people desiring to enter into covenant relationship? I can guarantee that this will become an issue of civil rights within my lifetime now that gay marriage is mostly seen as a possibility. Second, what of those of us who do marriages who will refuse to marry a gay couple that asks us to? Or works for the county clerks that have to issue marriage licenses but in good conscience cannot? When will we be sued for discrimination? Will we have to stop doing marriages at all, and just make it matter for the JOP?
The battle is just about over; gay marriage activists are going to win. How Christians handle this will be interesting to see. Will we live and act in love and grace, or will we continue to act in hate and spite? I find it interesting that the real sin of Sodom that got God's attention and wrath was not homosexuality. Rather, as Ezekiel 16:49, it was about injustice, about ignoring the poor, about being gluttonous. In how we treat homosexuals, will we sadly fall into the same trap and treat them poorly? This will certainly not be a faithful witness to Christ.
