Gay marriage is all over the media and it’s got some people all worked up.
So, same-sex couples may actually want to certify their partnerships. Why is that such a big deal ? Surely, it’s a natural progression and should be welcomed and encouraged.
Bush is threatening a constitutional amendment and the Church are going through a series of reactionary spasms, ranging from fire and brimstone to anguished hand-wringing.
‘Love thy neighbour’ is the first thing Christians forget when homosexuality comes up…
The interesting thing is the Bible, and indeed most major religions, clearly say ‘no’ to homosexuality.
For various historical reasons, they conclude it is immoral and should not be practised. If you take the Bible literally, then that is an inescapable fact.
Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
King James Bible
The Book of Leviticus in the Bible is clear that homosexuality is an ‘abomination’ and Islam is equally vehement in its opposition.
However, society is starting to understand and accept same-sex relationships. A more pragmatic and tolerant attitude is emerging.
We’re moving on now, leaving medieval doctrines and superstitious belief systems behind.
Science, biology, genetics and more inclusive philosophies have taken the place of religious dogma in informing us about ourselves and why we are here. We no longer need the Church’s outdated prescriptions and prohibitions.
Christianity has been obsessed with sex and it’s regulation for centuries. Meddling in people’s personal lives and producing petty rules to ensure compliance.
Strange really, Jesus never mentions homosexuality. Not once. Not even in passing. In fact, he rarely talks about sex.
Christianity has also been plagued by endless splits and schisms. One branch believes this, another that… Who can count the number of Christian denominations in existence ?
Disagreement on the meaning of Scripture is endemic. Let’s face it, there are four conflicting accounts of the life of Christ in the New Testament. Even the Scriptures don’t agree with each other !
Hardly a strong basis for absolute doctrine. But that is Christianity’s strength, it evolves and adapts as society changes.
Like contraception, divorce and abortion – things are a changing ! Will religious dogma evolve, as it always has in the past (think Galileo !), or will the theocrats be left to bicker over their irrelevant doctrines ?
Clearly, if same-sex couples want to declare the following vow in a public, recognised ceremony; we all should welcome it,
“Do you take ___ as your lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?”
Surely, it’s in all our interests to promote and encourage loving relationships between people, regardless of gender.
It’s a tribute to the institution of marriage that gay people want to share in the commitment, stability and recognition of matrimony.
With skyrocketing divorce rates and more and more people opting not to marry, gay weddings should be welcomed with open arms.
PostScrpt: new research into who wrote the Book of Leviticus and what their original intentions were is usefully summarised in this New York Times article entitled, The Secret History of Leviticus.
It seems the absolute doctrines of the church were interpreted very differently in antiquity and have been revised and edited by subsequent generations of clerics.
So yeah... 