rumitoid wrote:
Equality is an American ideal: does this ideal conflict with Christian belief as regards gay marriage? Is the Christian caught in an impasse between their faith and the Constitution on this question?
Below is an interesting article that I feel needs to be addressed point by point and specifically by Christians and others to help clear the air and can a better understanding. Well, I would like clarification and particulars for both sides of the argument.
Cut and paste from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnshore/2014/05/is-every-christian-against-gay-marriage-necessarily-a-bigot/#ixzz32MoJpvpI
"The call of todays anti-gay Christians is, Stop calling us bigots, everyone! Just because we believe what the Bible says about homosexuality does not make us bigots!
"So, lets think about that.
"Pertinent question #1: When does the anti-gay Christian become irrefutably a bigot?
"Answer? The moment he or she does anything to restrict the rights of any other person based solely upon the fact that that person is gay.
"You, anti-gay Christian, have the God-given freedom and the American right to believe whatever you want, and to worship and congregate with anyone and everyone who shares your beliefs. What sane person would argue that?
"For all practical purposes (and for such concerns what else matters?) it is not beliefs which make a person a bigot. It is actions.
"If you vote against gay marriage or gay rights, you are a bigotas surely as anyone who voted against civil rights in the 60′s was a bigot. If you preach against gay rights, you are a bigot. If you write against gay rights, you are a bigot. If you give your money or time to any Christian church or ministry that you know in any way actively works to restrict or limit gay rights, you are a bigot. If in private you intimate to your dearest friend that you dont think gay people should be allowed to get married, you are a bigot.
"No one wants to be a bigot, of course: not even the most virulent KKK member will claim that repelling appellation for him or herself. But bigot is as bigot does.
"And since its impossible for a person to hold a convictionespecially one based on religious beliefsthat they dont in some way live out, it is, alas, safe to claim that any and every Christian who believes that gay people shouldnt have every last moral and legal right they claim for themselves is a bigot.
"You cant be in the KKK and claim that youre not a bigot; you cant be opposed to LGBT rights and claim that youre not a bigot. Well, you can, of course. But if you do you are fooling no one, least of all God.
"Pertinent question #2: Does the Bible say that being gay is a sin?
"Answer? No, it doesnt. [← That's a link.]"
Equality is an American ideal: does this ideal con... (
show quote)
I personally feel that marriage is a religious ceremony that should only be decided by a church, and should not be restricted or promoted by the government.