Same Sex Marriage

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, ESV, emphasis added

I won’t mince words: Homosexuality is a sin. Not only is that the position of historical Christianity, more importantly it is the position put forth within the Scriptures themselves.

However, the New Testament does not make any special effort in pointing out the sin of homosexuality. When it is mentioned, more often than not, it is mentioned in lists of other sins, sins which permeate the church but which barely register on the radar of Christian discernment next to the hot button issue of homosexuality.

Frankly, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a Christian who doesn’t struggle with idolatry or lust (which Jesus equates with adultery, which appears in the above list). To single homosexuality out is to lessen the gravity of the scores of other sins, and to single homosexuals out — especially in hateful protest — is bordering on reviling them, which incidentally also appears in the above list of sins.

Yes, I believe homosexuality is a sin to be repented of (along with gluttony, idolatry, coveting, murdering, lying, and so on). Yes, I believe the biblical model for a family precludes a homosexual couple from being biblical.

That isn’t any huge revelation to most of you, I’m sure. However, I’ll go out on a limb here; ((And this is a limb which I feel is more sturdy than, say, the limb many fundamentalist convictions can be found upon.)) I do not believe that the definition of marriage should be a constitutional amendment or anything of such like. I was pleased when I found out that Dr. Ron Paul also opposes such legislation.

If a person wants to be gay, that is there business; I believe that such a lifestyle can be no more legislated against than could legislation be drafted which prohibits monkeys from picking each other’s nits. ((I’m not equating homosexuals with monkeys; please don’t read that much into my analogy!))

In other words, I believe that, constitutionally, Bible believes have the right to believe & preach against homosexual marriage. I believe that ministers should have the freedom to refuse marrying whoever they want, upon whatever grounds.

On the flip side of a coin, if homosexuals want to get married, there are certainly other means of going about it rather than through Christian ministers who are opposed to the concept. The government should not attempt to restrict those other means — whether through Sodomy Laws or through legislation such as the Federal Marriage Amendment. ((The Federal Marriage Amendment, if passed, would have federally defined marriage as the union of 1 man & 1 woman. Incidentally, Ron Paul opposed its passage!))

At the very least, the decision to legalize or criminalize homosexual unions should be made at a local level — state or lower — so that the decision more accurately reflects the populace of the region. After all, isn’t that what having a government “by, of, and for the people” is all about? Attempting to make such impactful legislation at the federal level ensures that the people of the nation will not be accurately reflected.

I’m still shaky on that, though, as it simply doesn’t seem like marriage is something the government needs to have its hands in anyway. I’m speaking there as an aspiring biblical purist who recognizes that biblical marriages shared few similarities with today’s elaborate ceremonies, rituals, and assorted traditions.

What is America if not a melting pot of culture? Frankly, I find that absolutely beautiful, and it ought to be an unceasing reminder to the Christians of the nation that the Father is saving souls out of every tribe, tongue, and nation.

And yeah, I dislike homosexual marriage; however, I find myself much more irked by various other sins.

But at the same time, homosexuals are still human; biblically, they bear the image of God, and I am just as sinful as they could ever be. There are 8×8 beams in my eye that need removing before I need to every worry about the sawdust in theirs!

According to the Declaration of Independence, it is self-evident that all men are equal and that all men have unalienable Rights, [and] that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Many men are happy in their sins, and biblically we are not mandated to force them onto the righteous path.

Additionally, so long as a person’s exercise of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness does not infringe upon anyone else’s rights, the government seems to have no real reason to meddle.

Even within the church, the most we can do is to excommunicate someone, so that they can continue in their sins as Satan destroys their bodies. ((See the first several verses of 1 Corinthians 5 for more on this.))

I’m still pretty much a neophyte where politics and the convergence of politics & religion are concerned, so I would appreciate anyone’s feedback on this.

I will conclude by saying that those conservatives who are fighting tooth & nail to outlaw homosexuality are doing the body of Christ no favors. The only way someone will joyfully & willingly give up a sin is through Holy Spirit-borne regeneration & repentance. There needs to be far more “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” and far less political protest. Only then will a genuine, lasting change be effected.

Just my 2¢US.

Merry Christmas.