Christian responses to Judge overturning Calif. gay marriage ban (Prop 8) as unconstitutional

For the AP story, click here. For Washington Post, click here.

Dr. Bill Maier (PsyD) offers an important reminder: "When we're discussing the same-sex marriage, it's critical that we clearly articulate what this debate is really about and what it's not about:

• It's not about whether gays and lesbians are nice people or good citizens. Some are, some aren't, just like heterosexuals.
• It's not about whether gays and lesbians can form loving relationships--of course they can. (We might argue that they are not experiencing love as God intended for it to be experienced, bu they certainly share feelings of affection.)
• It's not about whether gays and lesbians can be loving parents. There are nurturing, caring gay couples raising children all across this country. (Whether they are providing their children with what they truly need is another matter...)
• It's not about whether gays and lesbians should be treated with respect and dignity. Every member of the human race should be treated with respect and dignity.

Here's What I believe this debate is about:

• It's about whether we have the right to redefine marriage so it is elastic enough to include any grouping of adults.
• It's about whether we acknowledge the wonderful human diversity expressed in two sexes, male and female.
• It's about whether men and women complement and complete each other in their differences.
• It's about whether mothers and fathers play unique and irreplaceable roles in the lives of their children, precisely because of their sex.
• It's about whether there are compelling societal reasons to define marriage as one thing and not as another."

For more, see:
The Complete Christian Guide to Understanding Homosexuality: A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same-Sex Attraction

Here are a couple of responses: (from Ruth Institute):

Dr Jennifer Roback Morse, Foundress and President of the Ruth Institute, lamented the overturn of Proposition 8 by openly gay Judge Vaughn Walker, who is widely reported to be gay. “Judge Walker’s reasoning today in overturning Prop 8 illustrates that he does not understand the essential public purpose of marriage, which is to attach mothers and fathers to their children and to one another. He replaces this public purpose with private purposes of adults’ feelings and desires.”
Dr. Morse continued: “by the time Judge Walker and his ilk are finished, there will be nothing left of marriage but a government registry of friendships. The essential problem of attaching children to the mothers and fathers will be pushed aside, and will have to be solved some other way.”

The Ruth Institute has been active in the efforts to educate the public about the essential public purpose of marriage, the social benefits of natural marriage, and the harms to society from redefining marriage. Dr Morse, former economics professor at Yale and George Mason Universities, produced a four hour lecture series, called “Same Sex Marriage Affects Everyone.” To quote just a few of the many arguments she made in that series: Redefining marriage as the union of any two persons will undermine the biological basis for parenthood, which amounts to a redefinition of parenthood. Same sex Marriage will marginalize men from the family. Redefining marriage will increase the power of the state over civil society, including religious bodies.
“Surely the voters have the right to be consulted before making such a major change in public policy,” Dr. Morse said today. “Judge Walker has no right to disparage the voters of California the way he does in this opinion. “

His opinion amounts to this sloppy syllogism. ‘First, I don’t understand that there are any arguments in favor of natural marriage. Therefore, there are no arguments in favor of natural marriage. Conclusion: unlawful animus against gays and lesbians is the only possible reason 7 million voters supported natural marriage.’ Dr. Morse stated: “The fact that he doesn’t understand the arguments, doesn’t mean there aren’t any. And it is truly unprecedented for a judge to decide that some ideas cannot even be contested in public debate. The Ruth Institute will continue to educate the public about the significant role of natural marriage in society, and the harms from redefining marriage.”

Response by Chuck Colson

Response by Robert George

Response to Same Sex Marriage arguments by Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason

Joe Dallas

We need to keep three aspects of this discussion in the right context. Make sure you are answering the right questions with the appropriate answers. 1) What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? 2) How can Christians with compassion and love engage those who struggle with same-sex attraction? 3) Why marriage between one man and one woman for a lifetime should be protected and endorsed for the good of the society as a whole (Christians are for marriage; not against gays).

There will certainly be more to come in the days ahead and there is much at stake in this debate. What is needed now, is clear thinking and winsome engagement. May the church respond well.

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