Kelsey-
It doesn't necessarily. I think a lot of opposition to gay marriage stems from homophobia and knee-jerk conservativism, just as much support for it comes from unthinking, reflexive civil libertarianism.
The highest sin, according to Jesus, is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and since my fellow Xians are not agitating for a law against this greatest sin it is unconvincing when they oppose gay marriage solely because it's sinful. Obviously it's God's role to punish those who sin a against him and society's role to punish those who sin against society. In other words, in my mind, the only reason society should restrict gay marriage would be some harm caused by g.m. to society. God once judged Israel for its communal sins but now that the Christian church is "the new Israel" or the new "chosen people" (in Calvinist terms) God judges the church for its communal sins as harshly as he once judged Israel. However, any judgement on America, since America is not a religious group, will probably not be as harsh. I mention this because many Christians who have read the old testament accounts of Israel think of America as having the same moral accountability as Israel once did whereas this accountability now rests on the church.
Of course, if there really is a God, his commandments aren't idle, so one should seriously examine the effects gay marriage will have on society. Of note here, is that unlike most civil liberty questions gay marriage does not merely permit people to do a thing, it involves the society positively endorsing and institutionalizing it.
It is trendy and compassionate to endorse gay marriage, but is it rational?
I guessI think we should move swiftly to recognize civil unions, to allow gay couples to visit each other in the hospital and receive inheritances. This should not be called marriage, since the community would be naive to endorse something harmful to it with its most sacred stamp. A middle course will address the reality of American homosexuality without requiring the community to endorse it.
This harm to society comes in the form of a redefining of marriage...what the heck, I need to go to bed. I'll think about this at work.
What is marriage? Question: If one does not perceive marriage as a committment before God, can it be anything more than legal convnience or at most ceremonial sentimentality? If not, civil unions can provide both these things.

posted by Matthew Schmitz   [6:28 PM]

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