This post is part of the July 2015 synchroblog that invited bloggers to write about “Gay Marriage.”
Honestly, I have been able to avoid this topic. So, what you read here is me “writing out loud,” trying to “process” my way through it.
Is it right or wrong?
Many Christians, especially Evangelicals tend to say it is wrong. That’s the faith tradition I come from.
The Bible references homosexuality, not gay marriage. In those passages, it is regarded as unnatural, vile, disgusting, and shameful. Those who practice homosexuality are declared to have no part in the kingdom of God. However, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, the greedy, the abusive, and cheaters are also mentioned in the same passage as not inheriting the kingdom of God. Looks like that could be a problem for a lot of us!
It’s pretty interesting that the Bible is so negative about homosexuality, while placing homosexuals in the same category as adulterers, thieves, drunks, greedy and abusive people, and cheaters.
Is homosexuality some sort of super sin, like I remember hearing it characterized several years ago in Christian circles? Absolutely not.
Christians would do well to realize we are all culpable, and we all need grace; instead of pointing fingers.
Do I need to know if it is right or wrong for other people? No, it is not my role to dictate or pass judgment on their behavior.
How did societal attitudes about same sex marriage change so quickly?
By most accounts it is because straight people became acquainted with gay people. Then, they discovered there is no reason to hate them, fear them, or to deny them the right to live out their lifestyle choices. They are regular people who want the same things in life as the rest of us. It is a matter of personal choice, not to be controlled by the government.
Seems reasonable.
So, what’s a Christian attitude toward gay proponents of same sex marriage?
Simple. Love. It doesn’t matter if you deem it right or wrong. There are too many stories about gays suffering from being rejected by Christians and their own family and friends. We know that isn’t right.
I believe most everyone deserves as much love, acceptance, and dignity as we can muster because that’s the way God feels about them.
Gays have been an underclass for a long, long time. Now it is time to reach out with love anyway we can. That is all that is required of us.
You won’t go wrong with love.
The other writers’ contributions on the topic:
Justin Steckbauer – Gay Marriage, LGBTQ Issues, and the Christian Worldview
Leah Sophia – Marriage Equality Again
Tony Ijeh – Thoughts on Gay Marriage
Tim Nichols – Imago Dei: Loving the Different
Carlos Shelton – About Gay Marriage
Wesley Rostoll – Some Things to Consider Regarding Gay Marriage
K. W. Leslie – Same-sex Marriage
Paul W. Meier – Gay Marriage: Love is the Narrow Gate
Tara – Justice for All
Michelle Torigian – Marriage Equality: The Constantly Expanding Love of God
Lifewalk Blog – Here I am
Mary – A Recovering Evangelical Writes about Homosexuality
Liz – Same Sex Marriage Stuff: Part 1
Loveday – Gay Marriage in Africa, USA, and the World
Jea7587 – Loving Your Gay Neighbor, Part 2
D. L. Webster – Questions of Interacting with Differing Beliefs
Jeremy Myers – Two Men in One Bed? (Luke 17:34)
Thank you, Rob Bell, for the title of this post.
Pingback: Same Sex Marriage “Stuff” – Part One | Grace Rules Weblog
Yes. Love Wins. (A wonderful book, by the way).
My problem, for lack of a better word, with this post is it’s presumptive nature:
“So, what’s a Christian attitude toward gay proponents of same sex marriage?”
That strongly suggests that “Christians” are inherently not gay proponents of same sex marriage. In fact, millions of Christians fully support same-sex marriage. Not to mention all of the gay Christians. To me, this post encourages the false notion that “right-wing fundamentalist evangelical” is synonym with “Christian.” Often, quite the opposite is true.
Still, thank you for taking time to express your thoughts. I do hope, in the nearly two years since this was posted, you’ve come closer to the viewpoint of Christians who know (and some have known for a long, long time. Much longer than I.) that gay is just fine with God. Hate, on the other hand, is not.