August 31, 2010 - Presbyterians Support Gay Marriage
The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of the Redwoods (PCUSA), based in Northern California, recently ruled on a controversial matter of church discipline. While upholding their national denomination’s ban on same-sex marriage and finding a local clergywoman guilty of violating that ban, they also praised her (“profusely” according to local media) and called for a change in policy on this controversial issue.
Two statements in the Presbytery’s report caught my eye. First, the commission urged the church to re-examine “our own fear and ignorance that continues to reject the inclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” – meaning, of course, that upholding biblical standards about marriage denies the gospel. Second, the commission apologized to same-sex couples who have been denied marriage rights: “on behalf of the church, we ask for their forgiveness for the harm that has been, and continues to be done to them in the name of Jesus Christ” – meaning upholding biblical standards of marriage is an abuse of Jesus’ legacy.
These are powerful statements from Christian leaders. When non-Christians attack Christians who hold to biblical positions, it’s expected. When it comes from within the Christian community, it’s troubling.
The institution of marriage has been in trouble in the United States for several decades. Divorce, even among Christians, has occurred at high levels for the past 40 years. The results have been devastating for children, women, and men – on personal and societal levels. The negative consequences range from emotional pain to criminal behavior to economic hardship. We have sowed the wind, we are reaping the whirlwind. What divorce has done to marriage, however, will pale in comparison to the results of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples.
When I oppose legalization of same-sex marriage, I am not a homophobe, gay-basher, or civil-rights denying bigot. I have too many gay and minority friends who know me better than that. I am simply a Christian who tries to take the Bible at face-value and live out its instructions. Some of those standards are clear. All sexual behavior is a choice. Making choices to appropriately express sexuality is hard – but it can be done. Marriage is between a man and a woman – and they are supposed to stay together for life.
It’s unfortunate when Christians can’t agree on simple, clear, biblical convictions. How can we expect to influence society when we are imploding from within?
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