Gay marriage for the good

            President Obama’s public support of gay marriage is both courageous and calculating.  He showed courage by standing up for an issue of equality that is highly decisive in the US, an issue that could come to bite him at election time.  At the same time, I doubt he would have said as much if his polling hadn’t shown he was on the right side of the issue.  Judging by Republicans’ silence on the topic, it would appear that they think the same.

            More and more North Americans are becoming comfortable with the gay marriage issue.  The younger generation is the most accepting of something unthinkable only 10 years ago.  Ironically, it’s within America’s black community that there is some of the most ardent opposition.  Many clearly don’t hold it in the same esteem as the Civil Rights movement, which also was a watershed event when it came to equality in the US.

            Much of the opposition is religious-based.  Unfortunately, churches and religious groups appear to come out the hardest against gay rights, almost to the point of hatred.

            I’m sure most Christians aren’t vehemently opposed to those of a different sexual orientation, and would probably change their views quite quickly if they knew someone.  That being said, most evangelical church groups would be hard-pressed to openly welcome a gay couple into their congregation.
            For those who don’t prescribe to the Christian worldview, it may be difficult to understand why Christians in general can appear to be so intolerant.  It certainly can be the case when we try too hard to live by the biblical law, exercising judgment before acceptance.

            It’s certainly a touchy subject, given the biblical references to homosexuality, but one that should never trump the spirit of Jesus’ message (Jesus, himself, never did comment on homosexuality).  His central message is that of acceptance and love for the least-loved.  He saved his harshest attacks for the intolerant religious leaders of the day.

              Scripture can be manipulated in any number of ways to justify preconceived beliefs.  "Slaves, obey your masters," comes to mind as a verse taken out of context to justify slavery.  It doesn’t make scripture wrong – it makes its interpreters wrong.

            I’m not sure if I can interpret correctly what some biblical authors were saying about homosexuality and how it applies today.   There are opposing views given the context and reference to homosexual promiscuity as opposed to marriage.  On other explicit moral teachings regarding the love of money, lust and pride – all sins that I’ve been guilty of, it’s pretty clear.  Churches are generally quite accepting of people who’ve failed in these and other areas.  You don’t simply ostracize for one's faults or sins, otherwise we’d all be ostracized.

            But many churches have largely ostracized a group of people who have committed no wrong.  This is a group that is growing quickly with greater societal acceptance, and one that could use a community.  For as much as society has become more accepting, the persecution continues, with religious and non-religious persecutors alike.