Sexual relationships between two people of the same gender is a perversion and a sin… But I do support LGBT rights and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Here's why.
The Bible is clear that homosexual relationships are sinful. However, God does not call us to incorporate every commandment in the Bible into our country's law. Indeed, to do so in our modern context would be highly unnecessary, draconian, and intolerant of people of other beliefs. Because of this, many sexual sins are legal in Canada, most notably adultery, which is condemned quite often throughout the whole Bible.
There are three principle arguments against the legalization of same-sex marriage that have swayed me in the past. The first is simply that the Bible says it is wrong. However, "because the Bible says so," in and of itself is a terrible basis for public policy in our diverse, pluralistic, secular country. We live in a multicultural democracy, not a Christian theocracy.
The second argument is that same-sex marriage will undermine the family unit and the institution of marriage. This is a more substantial argument, but lacks nonreligious proof. As Christians, we know that homosexual relationships are contrary to God's will for marriage to be solely between one man and one woman. Any other forms of marriage are contrary to the spiritual sanctity of the family unit. However, after years of searching, I have yet to find conclusive extraBiblical evidence that same-sex marriage poses a threat to the institution of marriage and the family unit. Conclusive nonreligious evidence is the only thing that should dictate public policy, as legislating religious beliefs is inherently intolerant and unfair to citizens who do not share these religious beliefs.
This brings me to the third and perhaps best argument against the legalization of same-sex marriage: that gay marriage goes against children's rights to be raised in a good home. The real question here is: are children raised by two parents of the same gender any worse off than children raised by two parents of different genders? According to the American Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association, the answer is a resounding "no." The nonreligious evidence seems to stand firmly in support of same-sex marriage.
All of this intellectual reasoning is of course good for determining good public policy, but we need to remember same-sex marriage is ultimately about real people. People like this...
Let's respect gay and bisexual people. Let's love them, as God loves them. Let's try to see things from their point of view. Let's tolerate their beliefs, even if we completely disagree with them. Because once we've accepted them as they are, then we can show them the truth, that they are sinners in need of redemption, just as we are. Gay, bisexual, or straight, we are all loved by God and we are all offered his free gift of salvation.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9
"Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
1 Corinthians 6:9b–11
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Scripture quoted from the New International Version, 2011.
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Read more:
Homosexuality and the Christian Community
An Alternative Script for Same-Sex Attraction
