Credo Links on Gay Marriage

1. Everything Has Changed, Nothing Has Changed by Albert Mohler

“In a very real sense, everything has now changed. The highest court of the land has redefined marriage. Those who cannot accept this redefinition of marriage as a matter of morality and ultimate truth, must acknowledge that the laws of this nation concerning marriage will indeed be defined against our will. We must acknowledge the authority of the Supreme Court in matters of law. Christians must be committed to be good citizens and good neighbors, even as we cannot accept this redefinition of marriage in our churches and in our lives.”

2. Barna finds that 94% of Evangelicals do not support the Supreme Courts decision.

Nearly all theologically defined evangelicals say they are not in favor of the Court’s decision (94%)—more than twice the proportion among the general population (43%) and even significantly more than the practicing Christians segment (66%). Only 2 percent of evangelicals say they support the decision to legalize same-sex marriage.

3. The Church Divorces the Government?

Is it time for the church to divorce itself from civil marriages all-together? One-in-four pastors think so.

For a long time, Christianity has sewn its teachings into the fabric of Western culture. That was a good thing. But the season of sewing is ending. Now is a time for rending, not for the sake of disengaging from culture or retreating from the public square, but so that our salt does not lose its savor.”
~R. R. Reno, editor, First Things

4. Didn’t I propose this already? Changing Our Thinking About Same Sex Marriage

The entire post is focused on the history of marriage. When did the government get involved? Not until recently and this was for the protection of children. Since then, we have handed the entire institution over to the governmental a very foundational level. So foundational, we believe they define marriage.

5. Which led to this last week: Gay Marriage: 6 Reasons Christians Should Not Be Too Alarmed

The government is not the final line of defense against the culture. We have greater weapons: the church, the Bible, and the conscience, all powerful in the hands of the Holy Spirit. For this reason and many others, Christians should not be too alarmed.

6. Meet the Evangelicals Who Cheered the SCOTUS Gay Marriage Ruling

Though a secular source, this article does bring to the table the question Does one have to oppose gay marriage to remain Evangelical? This is a different question than Does one have to oppose the SCOTUS ruling to remain Evangelical? To the second, I would definitely say No. One can be an Evangelical and say that civil liberty was upheld that day, and, at the same time, be against gay marriage. But the question is Can one be an Evangelical and support gay marriage as a legitimate lifestyle. Don’t know what “Evanglical” means? Glad you asked. In Search of True Evangelicalism.

7. How to Evangelize Gays by a Gay Christian

This is an older post and it is written by a gay Christian who defends homosexuality, yet is an incredibly important post to read. You may not agree with every point, but he understands what it is like to be approached by a Christian who’s goal it is to win them to Christ (i.e. get them to renounce their gayness).

Concerning the whole “Hate the sin, love the sinner,” he writes:

Now take a minute to listen to yourselves. Hate the sin, love the sinner comes across as mean-spirited instead of loving. We hear it as an ill-disguised attempt to seem loving when you really don’t even like us let alone love us.

8. Did you know that sodomy is still illegal in 14 states, including Oklahoma?

So, to my Oklahoma pastors who are scared that they might force you at gunpoint perform a gay ceremony, take heart. At least they won’t consummate (unless they drive out of state, or just break the law!). Let me try to get the exact law . . . awe, here it is:

§21-886.  Crime against nature.

Every person who is guilty of the detestable and abominable crime against nature, committed with mankind or with a beast, is punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) years.

9. Some Weird Sex Laws

On a related note, if my source is correct, here are some weird sex laws (parents, cover your children’s ears):

• Sex toys are banned in some states, such as Alabama.
• Sexual intercourse between unmarried couples is illegal in Georgia.
•  In Iowa, you’ve got a five-minute time limit to make out. [These day, I think Kristie and I have a 2-minute limit, so we’re good!]
• You can’t marry the same man three times in some Kentucky townships. [Has that really been tried?]
• Women in Dyersburg, Tenn., cannot call a man for a date. [Today, methinks there would be no dates.]
• Husbands in Willowdale, Ore., can be fined for talking dirty during intercourse, but their wives can say whatever they please.
• An old Mississippi edict holds that men cannot become sexually aroused in public.
• Sex with an animal is perfectly legal for men in Washington state, as long as the animal weighs less than 40 pounds.

Read some more.

The Huffington post gives their list of the most unnecessary bans in the U. S.