First off, let me say that I am a 'straight' guy. But I am all for gay marriage. I didn't always think this way. In fact, up to a couple of years ago, my thinking was that same sex unions should only be called civil unions with all the rights of a marriage. But without granting the word 'marriage.' The word 'marriage' I concluded then has a sacred connotation, and thus, the institution of marriage with the sacrement of the church should only apply to a hetrosexual union on the basis of religious tradition which has lasted for close to 2,000 years.
But then I thought: 1) nowhere in the Bible does it say that people of the same sex can not be married; 2) the Bible, which is supposedly inspired by God, was nevertheless, written by men, who are by nature flawed and subjective and there's also the histrocity aspect of the Bible, that is, what they wrote depended alot on the times in which they wrote and the prevailing mores of those times just as slavery was the norm in Roman times and the same in America in the 17th and 18th century; 3) the Bill of Rights, clearly states that we have inalienable rights among which are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The ban on gay marriage violates the latter two rights.
So, I reversed my opinion on the entire matter. All people: gay, straight, handicapped, ethinicities, etc. are all human, and therefore, the inalienable rights apply to all.
I still believe that marriage is sacred. It is a solemn oath and duty once the bond/the covenant is made. But I don't believe that the principles and the sentiments of and for the sacred comes from the Church alone. In fact, the Church, in many ways is a flawed institution, not all but many. People interpret the Bible as they deem right. Thus, we have the diaspora of denominations and offsprouts within the denominations. Why should their interpretation of the Bible trump any other human interpretation of morality.
People should rise above religion and instead behave compassionately, empathetically, sympathetically, rationally, and spiritually.
Kepler, Corpernicus, and Galilleo were all excommunicated by the Church because they observed and said that the earth rotates around the sun vs. the other way around. The Church, based on one verse from the Book of Joshua stoodfast to the view that the sun rotated around the Earth and thus any other view was considered heresy. Then in the 20th century, the Church apologized for its error.
The one and only thing I like about the Bible is the love that Jesus extended to all people (except for the hypocrites like the Pharisses and the Seducces whose egos eclipsed compassion).
So, cheers! to Iowa and Vermont for choosing love and reason over hate and dogma.
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6 comments:
Word!
It seems to me that marriage is essentially a civil contract, governed by secular regulations and laws. In many countries, religious cermonies are not even recognized as valid and a civil ceremony is required.
Religions may add their own individual "layers" to the idea of marriage, such as the idea of sacramentality for RCs. But marriage is open to everyone, whether they practice a religion or not. Two atheists can have a civil service, and their marriage is as valid as any other. Such a civil service for two atheists is, by the way, viewed by the RC church as valid and indissoluble.
Pierce, civil cermononies.services are not necessarily recognized by the state. Even if it felt real.
In my church, the Swedish Lutheran church in NY, we're all for gay marriage. Hallelujah!
Me like your Church. The Swedes are so much more advanced than the Americans.
Btw, does your Church give surmons in Swedish or English? If in English, I would be interested in attending one of it's surmons and afterwards, nicely ask the preacher, what the message of the Book of Job is. No one. NONE. Have ever been able to explain to me why god allowed such torture on Job.
Have you read the Book of Job? If yes, I would like your thoughts on that book.
FKNY:
I don't think you did your Job readings, or your Wisdom literature assignments.
Could it be that you would prefer NOT to understand the meaning of the book of Job. Wisdom maketh a bloody entrance. Can't believe you're still claiming not to understand it.
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