Homosexuals, Republicans And The Holy Ghost
The California Supreme Court's 4-3 decision that their state constitution allows for gay marriage is sure to make homosexuality a flaming hot issue for the upcoming election season. Given that fact, I suppose I'll throw out my thoughts concerning same-sex marriage while things are heating up. I happen to fully support gay marriage, primarily because I think the arguments against it are prissy, unRepublican nonsense. Here's a few of them to give you a taste of what I mean.
Argument #1: Homosexuality is unnatural
Anybody who has seen two male dogs going at it on the front lawn or has had to pry Buttons off their quaking leg should see the flaw in this argument. When Buttons wants to get his groove on virtually anything will do to satisfy that loving feeling. The same is true of most other critters.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that animals and humans are the same (at least in this case). What I am saying is that one cannot by definition call something "unnatural" when it happens frequently in nature. Yes, God intended heterosexual sex when he commanded his creation to be fruitful and multiply, which I suspect is the only command we have faithfully followed. However, God also created a world where homosexual activity spans the species and is commonly found in nature.
Argument #2: Homosexuality is a sin
Yes, the Bible condemns homosexuality . . . with all the vigor that it condemns women who don't cover their heads in church. The fact is that the Bible hardly mentions homosexuality; the best I can tell is that it's only in there around 6 or 7 times. Compare that to how many times the Good Book condemns gluttony and you may be wondering why so many churches aren't expelling their voluminous preachers for the sin of too many trips to Crispy Creme.
Even when the Bible mentions homosexuality the circumstances tend to cloud the interpretation. For example, homosexuality is condemned in Levitical Law, but I don't know many Christians or Jews who follow all of the precepts there (unless "stoning" doesn't mean what they told me in Sunday School). Then, there is the Sodom story of "sodomy" fame, but if you read that tale closely you'll find it a story about rape. Homosexual rape, but rape just the same which God condemns regardless of sexual orientation. And in the New Testament you'll catch some references to homosexuality in the historical context of temple prostitution, a big no-no to the likes of St. Paul so no wonder he was a bit cranky on the subject.
What is especially striking to me about the Bible's take on homosexuality is that the Old Testament prophets, who were obsessive killjoys when it came to morality, never mentioned it. Perhaps more telling is that Jesus Christ himself didn't have anything to say on the topic. Now, if Jesus was (is), as I believe, the divine incarnation of God then he would have foreseen the social and spiritual turmoil that the homosexuality debate was going to cause in the twenty-first century. So if gays really bothered him, don't you think he might have mentioned it?
Argument #3: Homosexuality is destroying the family
Forgive me, but I'm having trouble understanding how heterosexuals with a divorce rate topping 50% can claim that gays are destroying the family unit. What exactly is it about two people in love who happen to be of the same gender that is ripping the moral fabric of the country? Abusive husbands, sexual predators, incestuous pedophiles, selfish spouses . . . they are destroying the family, not people in love.
Argument #4: We need to stand firm against moral relativism
I certainly agree that true morality is not relative. However, as you can tell from what I've already written, I don't think this is an issue of morality. It is about gay relationships that can be every bit as loving or destructive as their straight counterparts. It is not about unnatural abominations, destruction of the family unit or an unpardonable sin. Since that is the case, we need to be more "Republican" about the matter and diminish the role of government in deciding whether or not gays can be married. Besides, to paraphrase Woody Allen, it would immediately double the chance of every American finding a soul mate in his or her or hiser's pursuit of happiness.
11 comments :
Well said, especially the "prissy" statement. I have yet to hear a rational argument against gay marriage that doesn't involve religious beliefs in one manner or another. Two people, in love, willing to sacrifice everything and anything for their partner, is basically what marriage is all about. If 'love' is too much to ask for in a marriage, what are we fighting for? I think that is all that God would ask, why is it too much for us?
I have to disagree with pretty much all of your post, though I do think that the dog sex was pretty funny, I did chuckle on that one. I can only state that from a "prissy" religious POV that Mormons believe in Modern day Prophets, and we believe these prophets talk to God just like Moses, Noah, Abraham (we also believe he spoke to those prophets we just don't think he ever stopped)etc. Here is a proclomation of these prophets just to help you understand where I am coming from "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society". So to me you are messing with Gods divine design not man's. You don't have to believe it but for me it takes out the Biblical(we do believe in the Bible as use them in as part of our scriptures)justification because Mormons have our own additional scriptures AHA! thus the freak out of most non-denominations...so I adhere to more than just the Bible...just an FYI. I am not trying to convince only clarifying my religious stance. I think there was a reason why God destroyed Sodom...and we can only use our imaginations. This probably sounds like I am a religious nut, but slowly we accept societal morals as our own and not Gods. :)N
Again, I have yet to hear a rational argument against gay marriage that doesn't involve religious beliefs in one manner or another.
For the righties to win on this case, it will need to prove the merits of their argument not using faith. Use evidence to show that gay marriage is wrong, is bad for society, is harmful to children, or some other way to convince people of your point. Tell me anal sex causes some air-borne contagious brain eating disease that will wipe out society and by using evidence for this such claim and I will, after considering the evidence, try and see your point of view. And avoid well-dressed men with lisps.
Telling me some story in the Bible will not help, especially since you used the story of Sodom and Gomorrah where the evil sodomites were destroyed by God sparing Lot, who then turned around and got to "know" his two daughters while drunk. If I had a nickel for each time I...nevermind.
Evidence, rationale, and reasoning are the only ways I can be swayed on anything. Only one view of mine is set in stone and the rest are not, and I am more than happy to accommodate all sides so I may develop the best opinion I can. As of right now, the best argument I have ever heard against gay marriage was something to do with giving tax breaks to more people which would indirectly raise taxes on other people. Ya, I didn't get it either. I will try and have my parents explain it to me again.
And I think we beat the living crap out of this one (no pun intended...ok, ya, it was). I think we have argued this topic on 3 or 4 different blogs now lol.
DB, I didn't use the bible I used my own "Mormon" scripture. I only mentioned it to state more bible backing that was being disputed. And like I said. Why try to explain my religious position when it is just ridiculed and considered illogical. I think I have given plenty of legitimate argument to the subject, you just disagree, only your view is based on evidence and fact and mine is downplayed as ridiculous. I don't see the point in being honest about my view when your is based on more validity and because mine is based on religious belief it is invalid. I think that is a superior approach and unfair. But I agree that the subject is beaten to a pulp. we will have to agree to disagree. :)N
And I understand where you're coming from, Nikki. I own a Book of Mormon that I picked up while on vacation out there a couple of years ago, but I've never actually read any of it. I also know the Koran speaks out against homosexuality. But I can only go on what I believe and feel.
For me, the Bible (sans Mormon content, but including Jewish scripture) is sketchy on the point and Jesus himself didn't appear much interested. As such, homosexuality should fall on the low end of theological debate, right around the discussion of whether or not we should smoke.
From a societal perspective I can't see any harm from homosexuality. There will always be us heteros to keep the population thrumming, so why not allow for the alternative?
I guess I'll have to head to those other blogs :-)
Hey Khaki, I appreciate the comment. I only expect to be understood and not agreed with if that makes sense. :)N
Dr. Rapp? Your thoughts?
Khaki...WOW was I Surprised to read this!!! I'm not sure if I should be looking for A.K. to jump out and say I've been "Punked" or if you really believe what I read. I'm sure Pennington and Leroy would be pleased to jump on board with this but as a Right winged Baptist I'm not buying this posting of yours. I know you know better than this.
Well, Anon, I stand by what I wrote even in the face of Baptist onslaught. I guess I will march against homosexuality when I see churches throw out pastors who are fat and Christians protesting against overweight folk as sinners.
As I wrote, the bible has a whole lot to say about gluttony but hardly ever mentions homosexuality (and when it does the context makes it murky). Jesus and the prophets condemned gluttony but not homosexuality. So why do some Christians constantly attack gay lifestyles at every mention but never skip a trip to the Krispy Kreme after the doctor has told them they're overweight?
Sin is sin, and when measure by how the bible treats it, gluttony deserves its place among the 7 deadly sins and homosexuality deserves to have been left out.
Khaki, that great response is why I read your blog but your standing by your values when having the force of the Bible thrown at you is why I respect your opinion, even when I don't agree. You and like-minded conservatives are the reason I have faith that the GOP may actually see reason on this issue some day. Keep it up.
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