My View on Gay Marriage

It is unfortunate that there are Christians in the world who spread a message of hatred and intolerance. They use their religion as a defensive weapon rather than a foundation of faith. Mark 12:31 says that there is no greater commandment than to love thy neighbor. God did not say to love your neighbor conditionally–if they subscribe to your religion, if they fit your idea of what is good, if they are just like you.

True, the Old Testament is peppered with statements condemning same-sex relations, but it is also full of warnings against behavior that heterosexuals display every day. There are exhortations to not have pre-marital sex, yet there are no demonstrations declaring that those who have sex prior to marriage are evil and wrong. The fact of the matter is that not a single person living on Earth today is perfect. Everyone breaks the rules of the Bible whether flagrantly or accidentally. Why vilify homosexuals and their right to marriage?

With the divorce rate nearing 50% why should straight people assume we know what’s best in a marriage? Why should straight couples be the only ones permitted the rights that come with marriage? Who are we to say who people should fall in love with? If someone wants to commit their life to another person, to love, honor, cherish, protect, and provide for them shouldn’t we applaud that dedication rather than scorn it if it doesn’t fit our ideal?

Some people say that gay marriage is a threat to the family. Straight families fall apart every day due to divorce, domestic violence, and infidelity. Andrea Yates, Susan Smith, Darlie Routier, Casey Anthony–all straight. We are horrified and dismayed when we hear stories of abuse, neglect, and abandonment of children. Remember how utterly shocked you felt when reading about the children left at the Nebraska hospitals last year? With all that horrible news shouldn’t we be championing people who want to bring a child into their home and give them the love they deserve–despite the sexual orientation of the parents? Are we saying that a child is better off in an abusive situation or shuffled through the foster care system than in a loving same-sex home?

Put the shoe on the other foot. What would happen if somehow there became a law against something you felt was deeply ingrained in your personality and sense of self? Perhaps we could say that Ohio State fans cause riots (Columbus, 2002) and it is in the best interest of society to ban people from watching OSU games. That’s something superficial, but I’m sure it would anger a lot of people. Now what if suddenly Christians weren’t the majority? What if a group larger than ours decided that their ways were superior and laws should be passed based on their beliefs? That’s what we’re doing in declaring that gay marriage should be banned based on our beliefs.

I’ll end by coming full circle. I’m proud to be a Christian. I’ve read the Bible, and while I am by no means an expert, I feel I have a close relationship with God. I know that I do things that disappoint Him, but that He still loves me. I know that He loves His gay children too. He wants us to have joy in our hearts, not hatred. Galatians 5:22 states that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. He looks at our hearts when judging us, and if that heart is full of love–regardless of who it’s directed toward–I’m sure He’s pleased.