My Thoughts on Prop 8
Before I get into my thoughts on Proposition 8, let me start by saying this: I have a worldview that commands me to love the world around me, regardless of gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or political party. Notice I did not say sports team affiliation, because I believe that God is a Padres’ fan. (“The punishment that brought our peace” is an appropriate scripture.) (I kid, I kid.) Whether I may agree or disagree with you on any particular issue does not invalidate the fact that I am bound to act toward you in your best interest and to cherish you for the much-loved child of God that you are.
To that end, and because this is such a hot-button topic, I have disabled comments on this blog, not because I’m one-sided or whatnot, but simply because I don’t want this to become a place of strife. I’m more than happy to have a discussion with you on the subject, so message me, and we’ll talk, just not here.
To start, let me say that I have thought long and hard about what I wanted to say here. I wanted to present a view on Prop 8 that was completely divorced (no pun intended) from a Biblical stance. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I cannot completely do that. My thoughts on homosexuality, while not hateful in any way, shape or form, stem from my worldview as a God-follower, and I believe that the Bible teaches that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
Without going into theological details regarding covenant, let me say that marriage, as God ordained it, is for the purpose of procreation. It is also, perhaps more importantly, designed as a “type” of the relationship we are to have with God. In the act of marriage (the oath-ratifying act) the man and the woman come together to make one flesh. Without getting too graphic, parts come together to physically join the two together. It is in this joining together that the full nature of God is revealed. Since we are made in the image of God, male and female, it follows that together we are a full picture of the different aspects of God.
That being said, the reason I voted (yes, I am a permanent absentee voter) yes on Prop 8 is relatively simple. I do not trust Gerry Brown, nor do I trust the California State Supreme Court to protect my right to free speech and religious beliefs. As a pastor, it is my privilege and honor to uphold the word of God by supporting marriage between one man and one woman. As such, I will jealously guard my right to uphold those beliefs. Legally, I have absolutely no issue at all with homosexual couples being conferred the same privileges as heterosexual couples, which is why California has domestic partnerships.
In California, a domestic partnership provides entirely equal benefits to marriage (aside from the intangibility of the word “marriage”), and frankly, is easier to enter into than a marriage is. The only difference is that you must be 18 and you must co-habitate in order to qualify for a domestic partnership, whereas there is no cohabitation requirement for marriages, and those under 18 may marry with parental consent. Frankly, I think it’s a matter of semantics from a legal standpoint.
Simply put:
I am AGAINST discrimination of homosexuals.
I am AGAINST hatred toward the homosexual community.
I am AGAINST discrimination of the faith community.
I am AGAINST hatred toward the faith community.
I am FOR equal legal protection under the law.
I am FOR agreeing to disagree.
I am FOR Proposition 8.
And lastly, let me say that I believe that the love that a homosexual couple has for one another is a God-given love, but much like heterosexual relationships, we have confused love with sex. And I am just as much opposed to heterosexual sex outside of covenant as I am with homosexual sex, perhaps even more so.
It is my hope that this is read as it was written; in a spirit of love and tolerance. Remember, tolerance doesn’t mean that I agree with or champion other beliefs. Tolerance simply means “The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.” -Courtesy of the American Heritage Dictionary.
Peace and Love to you and yours, regardless of your sexual orientation,
Jess