Gay Marriage and The Christian Church

In November of 2008, my home state of California passed Proposition 8 thereby defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This vote was upheld by the California Supreme Court. It is known as the California Marriage Protection Act. It is no surprise that many Christians rallied and picketed to pass this proposition. Is that what Jesus would have done if he were here? California Marriage Protection Act? Protection of marriage from what?



What Affects Our Opinion of Gay Marriage?
Clearly, our perception of homosexuality itself would have an effect on our opinion of gay marriage. I read an interesting article entitled "Strong Support is Found for Ban on Gay Marriage" in the NY Times (Dec 21, 2003) that published some telling numbers concerning national opinions of homosexuality and marriage. The author states the following:

* 53% of pollsters thought marriage was a religious matter. Of those, 71% opposed gay marriage.


* 33% of pollsters thought marriage was a legal matter. Of those, 55% supported gay marriage.


These statistics strongly suggest a link between believing marriage is a religious matter and opposing gay marriage. If these pollsters represent a microcosm of our society, then religion appears to play a commanding role in the issue of gay marriage even if our society is less religious than it used to be. There are many people who do not attend church or consider themselves to be religious, but that pervasive Protestant influence on our nation's birth and development has had a heavy impact on us all.


I hear many fundamentalists (see footnote below) tout two primary reasons for their opposition of gay marriage: the family structure must be protected and homosexuality is a sin.


Protecting the Family Structure
Really? The family structure? Has not the family structure already been pulverized by the high rate of divorce among heterosexuals? The family structure is a patchwork of individuals sewn together by life's circumstances. Was this not true even in the bible days? Husbands, multiple wives, the concubines of the men, the various children of the men and their wives and concubines, and the children produced by the men and their servants. The typical family, therefore, has seldom been only a bland group of one man, one woman, and their 2.5 children. If the family can be defined as a patchwork of individuals sewn together by life's circumstances, then that can include homosexual couples and their children.



Are They Sure Homosexuality is a Sin?
Gays should not marry because homosexuality is a sin? Let us follow that argument. Lying is a sin, right? Are fundamentalists picketing outside the courthouse each time two liars get married? What about when two fornicators get married? Two adulterers? Two people full of pride? The absurdity of Christians wasting time protesting against the marriage of two sinners would be comical if it were not so hateful. My point is that so-called sinners get married every day. The fact that these religious people are protesting against gay marriage because it is a sin while ignoring all the other types of "sinners" who are marrying is a strong indication that they have a bigger problem with homosexuality than sin. What would Jesus think of that?


Many Bigots Can Find Supporting Verses in the Bible
There are verses in the bible that appear to speak against homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9). There are also verses (I Timothy 2:11-12) that speak against the leadership roles of women. There are verses (I Peter 2:18, Titus 2:9-10) that could be used to justify slavery. There are even verses (I Corinthians 11:9, I Corinthians 11:3) that appear to validate the lordship of a man over his wife. This society has experienced social movements that have changed our minds about whether women can hold leadership roles in the work place and church, the justification of slavery, and the degree of freedom a woman should experience in marriage. Upon society's movements and enlightenment, the church re-interpreted the same verses that had once been used to oppress women and slaves.



Closing Thoughts
Are we in the midst of a new movement? We have 11 states that sanction the marriage of same-sex couples. That is a long way from the days when a same-sex couple could be arrested for having sex. Are we approaching a day when society no longer vilifies homosexuality? Once we reach that point, will the church then re-interpret the same verses they currently use to justify their protests of gay marriage?

I am not a theologian. I know that theologians would rip apart my thought process and re-package it with clever interpretations in light of the bible culture and the language of the bible texts. This is part of my point though. I am not interested in clever re-workings of bible interpretations. I am interested in the truth and how we know it is the truth. It would seem to me the actual truth would be true despite cultural changes. Truth should be something that transcends culture. Should it not?

The law of gravity, for example, has been operating long before we knew how to explain it. Despite our ignorance, it has not changed as social movements rose and fell. We, however, did not know how to describe this law until Newton did so in the 17th century. The truth of gravity existed long before we could begin to describe it. I think this can be true of our understanding of God's intentions as well. Why cannot the theologians admit God is mysterious? Why must theologians and preachers speak for God as if they totally understand Him? If God is who they say He is, the energy and intellect behind creation, then would it not be reasonable to believe that He is infinitely more intelligent than we? His thoughts and ways are far more sophisticated than our own. He said so in Isaiah 55:8-9. With such a canyon separating our intellect from God's, it would stand to reason that we would not entirely understand Him or His edicts.

My heart bleeds for every homosexual who has experienced pain for either denying their true identity or accepting it. Would Jesus have held a picket sign outside of a courtroom with the phrase "Faggots Burn in Hell"? I cannot imagine He would. When a woman caught in adultery (a sin punishable by death in bible days) was about to be stoned (a lawful act at the time), Jesus did not join the pious stoners. He forgave the woman and challenged those who wanted to stone her. What they were doing was lawful, but Jesus condemned their motives and hateful behavior. I imagine He might respond in a similar way to the religious picketers who protest gay marriage. Not only is it out of line with Christ's character, it is not good marketing. Is a sign that reads "God Hates Fags" supposed to motivate homosexuals to repent and join the picketers' church? God said He attracts people to Himself through love and kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). Hateful signs full of angry accusations are not very loving or kind.

How many slaves died thinking it was God's will that they honor their cruel masters before society learned better? How many women sacrificed their aspirations of leadership before society learned better? How many homosexuals have to live a lie (denying what they feel just to avoid being ostracized) while waiting for society to learn better? Each homosexual who honors their desires makes the idea of homosexuality less queer in the eyes of society. This re-orientation of the heterosexual segment of the population will only add fuel to the movement ablaze. Once this movement changes the laws, will the church re-interpret what God says about homosexuality? Time will tell...

Footnote: I refer to "fundamentalists" and "religious" people throughout this article. I am referring to Christians. While Christianity is not the only religion that opposes homosexuality, it is the only religion I know intimately so it is the only one I am questioning in this particular article.

Additional Comments:

In light of a discussion I had with a friend, I wanted to add a few additional comments.

1. If it is not clear from the article above, I am not against gay marriage. I have no problem with it. Asking me "do you support gay marriage" is equivalent to "do you support the marriage of tall people". I support it in that I am not against it. I see no clear reason to be against it. Had I been in California, I would have voted against Prop 8.
2. I feel the church has a tendency of tossing too many activities in the sin category without much thought. How long did the church say alcohol consumption and dancing were sins? Silly. In this modern age, many of the strictest denominations have trimmed their lists of shall nots.
3. I think it would be easier to take a hard stance on either end of the sin issue: either religion is dead wrong or homosexuality is an offense to God. I think it takes a lot more courage, especially since I am a Christian, to question whether homosexuality is in fact a sin. If it is a sin, then women should not be leaders (neither in church or society) by the same strict interpretation of scripture.
4. I am entirely comfortable saying 'I do not know' what God thinks about homosexuality. How could the church be certain of what God thinks on this issue? They have revamped their understanding of God so many times in the past; their track record suggests they will change their mind about homosexuality eventually. I would not want a doctor to remove my spleen because he thinks it might be infected; if he exacts such a permanent action he better be absolutely certain.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Quandra T. McGrue