Just to make things clear, I am a Christian. From time to time that comes into question because of my position on certain social issues and matters of government control. It is sometimes alleged that certain views I hold are contrary to my spiritual beliefs. If at any point, you think that to be true, it is because:
a) you do not fully understand (or you misunderstand) my position on the matter; or
b) you apply select aspects, to the exclusion of the whole, of my spiritual beliefs to the issue; or
c) both a and b.
Case in point: same sex marriage.
I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and that it is truth without mixture of error. Let's not get on the subject of supposed "contradictions" because I can argue with you about them until your head spins off your neck. The Bible lays out God's blueprint for the life He wants for us, out of His love for us. As much as I believe every word of the Bible to be truth, we do not live in a theocracy, nor would I want to live under one.
I am a libertarian. I believe that all men and women have the right to equal protection under the law; this is not inconsistent with my spiritual beliefs. The root of the problem with this whole marriage debate is not the church, it is the state. Somewhere along the line, we have abdicated the authority over marriage to the state; the state has no just authority to declare what is marriage and what is not. I remember all those years ago, when I got married, thinking it really is rather absurd that I should have to seek a license from the state to take a bride.
As far as the state is concerned, it should not matter who, what sex, or how many people choose to form a legal relationship, so long as they are informed, consenting adults. The state may recognize any relationship it chooses (so long as the standard is applied equally to all), to have rights equal to those traditionally associated with a spousal relationship. The authority for that recognition comes from the consenting parties, and should apply (as in any other contract) equally to all people. I don't care what the heck you call it, but the legal aspect itself is NOT marriage. Marriage is a covenant relationship; it is a sacrament of the church. What business is it of the state to decide who may, and who may not, enter into such a relationship?
As previously stated, I believe the Bible is truth. God has allowed me to accept that truth of my own volition. The truth of what God wants for each of us must be accepted freely and individually, just as accepting the gift of salvation must be an individual choice. We are just as free to choose our own path, in spite of His plans for us. There are eternal consequences for choosing to turn one's back on God, but that is for neither me nor the state to decide.
I believe each person ought to be free to live as he or she wishes, so long as the rights of others are not infringed in the process. That is the difference between freedom and liberty; freedom is doing whatever you please, while liberty is freedom restrained only by the condition not to infringe upon the rights of others. I believe in liberty, not just for myself and those who are like me, but even for those with whom I may personally disagree. I don't need to agree with your lifestyle in order to believe that you ought to have the liberty to exercise it.
Personally, I would wish and pray that you experience the life that God desires for you. I would even go out on a limb to share with you what a relationship with God really means. In the end though, the decision is yours. I would not attempt to use the force or legislative authority of the state to make you see things my way, even if I believed the end result would be a good one. I would do it the way God has been doing it for all of time... by loving you... because He loves you.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8 (NASB)
© the stiff lizard
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