I think we can all agree, whatever side we come at the discussion from, that homosexual rights, particularly marriage, is one of the biggest issues facing this nation.
I'm going to break some things down within this discussion, and see where it goes.
California's prop 8, among others, this election cycle, seems to have brought the discussion to the forefront nationwide. I'm going to make my answer quite simple and easy, and then dig into it a bit. Here we go...both sides are wrong. To all reading, check fire until you actually finish reading please.
First, lets look into the history of marraige itself. It is an institution that seems ingrained into history, but until recent times, no outside recognition was really required, if a man and a woman said they were married, they were married, each culture handled the actual social ceremony different, but essentially, that was that. For the purposes of this blog, I'm going to focus primarily on European history, simply because it is from that history that much of our culture is derived.
As far as the Catholic Church went, for centuries, if you said you were married, you were. In 1215, it was declared that a "licit" marriage must occur in a Church, but other marriages were still recognized, and still considered marriages, just not "licit"
There was no state or civil involvement until the 16th century, when some European states began to require approval, primarily to prevent marriages that families did not approve of, ie rich and poor or what have you...
In the US, the idea of marriage licenses is relatively new, George Washington, for instance, was married without a license, it wasn't even thought of. The concept of marriage licenses in the US began popping up in the early 1900's, for the main purpose of prohibiting inter-racial marriage. Read that again: Marriage licenses had thier origin to block inter-racial marriage! Before that idea, it was unheard of to ask the state for the "right" to marry, it was not in the States domain to make the call one way or the other!
So, the two historical origins of marriage licenses, or state involvement, in marriage, were to prevent inter-racial or inter-class marriages. Nowdays, it's normal, expected, to obtain a marriage license, ie, permission, from the state before tieing the knot, but why? Why has this tradition continued? I don't know that answer, except to say that once some control is ceded to the state, it grows and grows, the state (by state I mean of course government in general) simply cannot be trusted without an ever vigilant and educated populace to prevent abuse.
So, essentially, from where I'm looking at things, historically, Biblically, and, constitutionally, there is no legal reason for government to be involved on any level in marriage, it simply isn't the business of the state. So, where exactly do I stand on the homosexual marriage issue? Personally, I'm opposed, I am a Christian, and I firmly believe that the Bible is clear on the morality of the matter. I am also firmly opposed to government overstepping it's bounds, and so, both sides are wrong.
I will say this thought, the Church should be ashamed of itself, not for prop 8 or similar issues, but for rolling over and turning the decision of marriage over to the state. For declaring the sanctity of marriage while divorce rates within the "sacred" institution of marriage skyrocket within the Church. For leaders who adamantly oppose homosexual marriage while cheating on thier spouse. No one is perfect, all are human, but if you are going to use the sanctity of marriage argument, which I do agree with and consider a valid argument, I expect you to listen to yourself. If marriage is sacred, treat it as such. Show me a valid reason for divorce, with the exception of adultery and abuse, I know of none.
If we, as a Church, expect to be able to stand for the institution of marriage, we must indeed stand for it! This means not only declaring it to be Biblically between a man and a woman, but Biblically forever, before God, till death do you part.
So, to those screaming for the state to give marriage rights to homosexuals, good job, your supporting a tradition of racism and classism, hope your proud.
To those against, you either oppose it within the Church, and from a pure perspective of marriage, or you are just as wrong. If you support divorce outside of adultery or abuse, shut your mouth.
