What’s one privilege that murderers, rapists, pedophiles and corrupt bankers have that gays don’t have? That’s right, the right to get married. We say to the worst of society you may partake of this sacred institution but those who love someone of the same sex, you can’t. Is that the message we want to be sending to our children, the world?
Marriage is one part religious and one part socio-political. When people in WashingtonD.C. and around the country discuss the topic of gay marriage they combine the two. Yes the Bible says homosexuality is wrong but that is a whole different story. In this country of ours we are governed by the Constitution and State Laws, not the Bible. The Marriage Act of 1967 states, “Congress shall not make any law that prevents two people from getting married.” There is no gender specific language in it just like there is none in the Constitution it says We the People, not we the people unless you have a different sexual orientation.
The socio-political part of gay marriage is that by outlawing it we are preventing same sex couples from having over 100 privileges that heterosexual couples enjoy. One should right is the ability to be around and or be their spouse’s medical attendant. By law your next of kin is the person who will make the decision, god-forbid if you are in a medical state where you are unconscious or medically unable to make medical decisions yourself. How would you feel if the person you loved the most was dying and you didn’t have a say in what their treatment should be or even be in the same room for that matter? It is absolutely cruel what we are doing to same sex couples. If religious leaders will not marry a same-sex couple that is fine, that is their right as Americans. But the State is not bound by any religion.
Our Constitution and laws stress the point of equality and fairness. How is it fair that the person who kills someone’s child gets to enjoy the sanctity of marriage but a gay couple who has broken no law is not allowed to? Homosexuality is not a crime in this country the last time I checked. Let’s separate the religious component form the socio-political component to see that by not allowing gays to marry we are discriminating against a group of people who have broken no law. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and all women are created equal.” There’s no caveat there America. Let’s wake up.
“To love and be loved is the only way we can move forward.”
Deut. 8:18 - But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Some people believe that when the Lord promises something to someone in the Bible, that without exception that applies to every person on Earth. While some Christians know this to be false (acknowledging that in order to be privy to God’s promises you must first be a believer) they still keep the lie alive by believing that just because someone attends church, goes to seminary, or claims to be a Christian, etc., they are given access to the promises of the Lord. Outward obedience does not make you a disciple of Christ, inward and outward obedience does; Deuteronomy 8:11-18 shows this perfectly. Often times when I hear Deuteronomy quoted I hear it by itself. Most of the time the verses that proceed it conveniently are left out (giving it no context) transforming it into one of those, “if it sounds too good to be true” Scriptures. Make no mistake about it verse 18 does assure us that Jehovah has the power to give wealth but who is He assuring of this in this verse? If we look at verses 11-17 we will see the answer to this. Moses is the one speaking these words and he is talking to the Hebrew people after they were led out of slavery in Egypt. They had already crossed over the Red Sea, made their way through 40 years in the desert, now they are about to enter the promised land of Canaan. Moses is reminding the people where they came from and who brought them there. Verses 11-17 reminds them of all of this to let them know that all the blessings and riches God is about to shower upon them is not because of their hands, it is not because they are just so special, it is not because they are so clever, no He is about to bless them because they have suffered but yet they remained with Him. They were not just outward followers; they were inward followers as well. Those decided to return to Egypt when the going got tough did not receive this promise. This promise to give us wealth is a weighty one that is preceded by staunch obedience on our behalf. Also notice that it does not say that if you do x, y and z you will receive wealth; instead it says remember what the Lord your God has done for you hold fast to Him knowing that He is the giver of wealth, that He will prosper you.
Shouldn’t this be enough for us? Can’t we, like the ancient Hebrew people look back upon our lives and see countless blessings God has already given us, can’t we see numerous desert experiences that He has brought us out of, and can’t we be assured of His provision because of the bread we eat today. Can’t that be enough? Let’s be at peace knowing that great Giver of wealth loves us and will never forsake us.
