Strangely enough, I have found myself in more conversations on the topic of gay marriage in the last two weeks than the rest of my life combined.  Perhaps it is not too strange, considering that it is quite a hot button issue these days, especially because of the recent proposition on the ballot in California.

Rather than comment on any number of blogs I follow that are discussing the topic right now, I decided I’d try to give a fairly brief explanation of why I personally do not support gay marriage (since that’s what people have been asking me) and to point out a couple of other observations I’ve made while watching this debate unfold both personally and on a larger scale as a news item.

I do not support gay marriage for…

biblical reasons.

As a follower of Jesus, I find the support of homosexual behavior incompatible with the teaching of Scripture. This starts with God himself creating man and woman in his image and giving them a cultural mandate that involved a man and woman becoming one flesh.  This continues throughout the Old Testament, where homosexuality and homosexual behavior are taught to be distortions of the image of God in humanity and in sexuality.  Jesus would re-affirm marriage understood this way and the Spirit of God would teach us through Paul that homosexual behavior was not viewed any differently under the grace of the new covenant than in the old mosaic law.

I am not ignorant to the fact that there are others out there who are claiming both Christ and promoting gay marriage. If you would like to address specific assertions, I’m happy to discuss that right here in the comments.  I have found, in looking at various explanations, none of them to be consistent. Most notably is to say that Jesus never mentions homosexuality. Unfortunately, arguments from silence are about as convincing as the volume.

My reasons for not supporting gay marriage in any other dimension of life (political, social, etc.) will no doubt be based on my presupposition that the Bible is true and is clear on this issue, but I’d rather address those as necessary rather than up-front, since it all stems from the above.

A few more observations and thoughts:

• I find it interesting that at a rally for supporting gay marriage, anyone would snatch and throw down a sign that opposed gay marriage in the name of “tolerance/unity/diversity.” Many are quick to say that this doesn’t represent all supporters of gay marriage, but not as quick to correct that James Dobson doesn’t represent all Christians on the topic either.
• When “the church” (as if that was just one group in the U.S.A.) wants something passed into law we are reminded of the mythical “separation of church and state” but when gay/lesbian groups want something passed into law it is ok.
• Homosexuality is NOT the same issue as race and gender.
• If homosexuality is an issue of morality (and if you believe it to be the same as race/gender than it is obviously an issue of the morality of equal rights) AND you support gay marriage, than are you not being just as narrow minded toward your own morality as those who do not support gay marriage?  If you support gay marriage, please stop telling me to not legislate my morality. Whether or not gay marriage becomes legal is ALWAYS going to be an issue of morality. It’s just whose morality will win out in a vote.
• Since no laws prevent any religious organization from uniting gays/lesbians in some form of committed relationship nor any business from providing equal benefits (insurance companies, etc.) the gay marriage agenda is really the more intolerant view, desiring to force itself on others who see it differently. Isn’t this exactly what they are fighting against–being forced to recognize marriage as between a man and a woman?

I put this all here, so that as I have conversations, I can interact with others in one place where I’ve made some clear statements, rather than conversations going in a bunch of different directions at different times.  Please know that I do not share my opinion detached from human experience. I have dealt with this issue in both my family and among friends. By dealing with it, I don’t mean just discussing it, I mean that I have or have had personal relationships with others who have come “out” as gay or lesbian or who have admitted struggling with this.

Finally, I want to be clear that I do not believe that homosexual behavior is any greater or lesser of a sin than any other sexual perversion or for that matter any other sin listed right alongside it in Scripture.  In other words, I’m not on any type of crusade against this sin in particular and recognize that I stand in need of grace in the same exact fashion as any other person falling short of the glory of God.

As for discussing this further, I’m happy to do so through the comments. However, I am not bashing anyone or trying to be rude, so please respond in kind. Also, if you’re asking a question, ask one. Conversations like these dilute too fast when there is too much at once. If you’re going to make a statement, please just make it and refrain from ranting on.  Then again, with only 6 subscribers to my blog, the comments could just remain a ghost-town.