As of November 2014, same-sex marriage is legal in 32 of the 50 states that are the United States of America. Adding to that total, same-sex marriage is legal within the District of Columbia and ten Native American tribal jurisdictions. Those 32 states translate to 64%; now a majority of states that have, as of November 2014, legalized marriage for individuals of the same sex. Likewise, the United States Federal government legally recognizes same-sex marriage, the result of Section 3 of DOMA having been ruled unconstitutional.
In the United States, the first push for same-sex marriage commenced when a challenge to a Minnesota law prohibiting same-sex marriage was brought before the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1971; only to be struck down. Methodically and incessantly, over the next 32 years, the same-sex marriage agenda took shape as a self-absorbed, nihilistic nation paid little attention, losing touch with right and wrong, good and evil, righteousness and sin, notions of God.
In 2003, the U.S. Supreme court ruled it was unconstitutional to criminalize sodomy. In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that denying marriage rights to same-sex couples was unconstitutional and in May 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to license and recognize legalizing same-sex marriage. Momentum gained from there. The rest is history, with 32 states now allowing same-sex marriage on constitutional grounds, as the law of the land. It is now only a matter of time before the remaining 18 states go with the flow.
Same-sex marriage is now permissible under the full protection of the U.S. Constitution as well as Federal laws and varying state’s laws. Maryland, Maine and Washington have been the only states to date to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote; all others either through the decision of the courts or legislative statute.
Today, for one to advance the argument that marriage is a God-ordained institution and as such, is defined by God as a union between a man and a woman, such an individual is considered intolerant, homophobic and out of touch with the times. The notion of God having any say pertaining to same-sex marriage is considered nonsense, something to be ignored and would be impermissible in a court of law.
Ironically these days, when it comes to the judicial system or legislation within the United States, arguments for or against same-sex marriage cannot involve God. The U.S. Constitution will not allow that, for the Constitution cannot promote or demote God; as it was never intended to do so. The U.S. Constitution is God-neutral. Consequently, any laws pertaining to same-sex marriage is resultant of the decisions and votes, the whims and the desires of human beings, without the input of God, the Bible or any religion. Within the United States of America, religion cannot be taken into account when it comes to any laws pertaining to same-sex marriage. The laws of the United States of America are the laws of the land, the rule of law, of and by and for the people, and not the laws of God.
Due process, equal rights, First Amendment rights, the equal protection clause; these are key components, all sound and sure under the U.S. Constitution, mandating the legalization and protection of same-sex marriage and same-sex marriage speech and advocacy. Further support of the same-sex agenda finds most human rights groups, minority support groups, various think tanks, psychiatric and psychological institutions, medical, sociological and scientific communities all promoting same-sex unions as wholesome, healthy, non-detrimental to society or children and a human right of choice. Many same-sex couples have lived together for years and their only desire is for the courts and society to recognize the deep love they have shared together. And of course, to make certain the surviving spouse enjoys full benefits as allowed by law, entitlements and insurance policies.
A recent survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, revealed a full 31% of young people (ages 18 to 33) who left organized religion said “negative teachings” or “negative treatment” of gay people was a factor in determining their departure. Some 58% of Americans also said religious groups are “alienating” young people by “being too judgmental on gay and lesbian issues.” A full 70% of young people said the same. Additionally, a recent Pew Research Center poll found that 70% of Millennials (those born from 1981 or later) support same-sex marriage.
According to a recent Gallup Poll, when asked if gay/lesbian relations between consenting adults should be legal, 66% answered yes, while 30% answered no. When asked if same-sex couples should be afforded the same rights heterosexual couples enjoy, specifically marriage, 55% of the respondents answered yes, while 40% answered no. A Pew study reveals that some 73% of people with no religious affiliation are in support of same-sex marriage. Clearly, the trend toward acceptance of same-sex marriage has taken root across the United States.
Christian Institutions are slowly changing their tune, especially among those more liberal, less fundamental or literal in doctrine. Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Anglican, Unitarian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran are some of those now allowing pastors to marry gay and lesbian couples.
When it comes to Jesus, many Christian folks, who are now acknowledging the legal rights and humane treatment of same-sex couples, speak something as follows: “We are now living in a different time and world than was at the time the Bible was written. When Jesus came to live among us, he was all about compassion, forgiveness and love. He came to bring people together showing that God loves everyone. We are all children of God. The church should show that same love Jesus showed and should welcome with open arms all people, without being judgmental or condemning. The Bible never once records Jesus condemning homosexuality, so why should we?”
The nation’s daily diet of gay and lesbian activity and same-sex agendas is evident, open and obvious on television, both cable and open air; in modern songs, Broadway shows and on the big screen. How excited the media becomes, jubilant and giddy, when reporting of this or that actor or TV celebrity or professional sports figure or college recruit confessing before the nation his or her sexual orientation and coming out of the proverbial closet. Recently, a high profile CEO of a well-known computer company admitted he was gay and “he is proud of it.” Everyone in his company treats him kindly and with respect, so he proudly pontificates.
More businesses and Federally funded (of course) institutions are feeling the pressure of the gay agenda and the same-sex marriage movement as the Federal government is mandating acceptance and tolerance of gays and lesbians. The United States Armed Forces, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and other Federal agencies are required to support and promote the homosexual agenda. That is the way it is now.
Today, especially as proliferated with the aid of the internet, hundreds of LGBT web sites expose the thousands of activities, groups, communities and agendas, which are inundating the country. All this behavior is becoming common knowledge and going unchallenged. The force of the indoctrination (call it education) is creating a seismic cultural shift. No stone is left unturned and nothing is hidden anymore. Everything and anything you want to know about LGBT lifestyles is a simple mouse click away. U.S. courts are sanctioning the gay agenda by forcing public school systems to acknowledge and teach homosexual lifestyles. Have you heard of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network)? It is a legally sanctioned corporation, a business with representation in all 50 states, protected by laws and rights granted within the United States of America.
Now add another piece to the quilt that is the American same-sex marriage/gay agenda. Give witness of the recent controversy in Houston, Texas, where the first openly lesbian Mayor was at the center of attention in the city’s attempt to subpoena pastors who were actively involved in collecting petitions against Houston’s non-discrimination ordinance. The subpoena asked that religious leaders turn over all sermons, which had something to say regarding HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance).
Ironically, the idea of an Equal Rights Ordinance anywhere, ensuring that protection of rights be granted equally to all, should not be questioned. Why should this be a problem in America? After all, the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence have laid the foundation ensuring equal rights and equal protection for all within this country.
Surely it is only a matter of time before all 50 states grant the same rights of marriage to all. There is opinion now being voiced that instead of using the phrase “same-sex marriage,” the wording should be “marriage equality.” This change is necessary, so it is reasoned, because saying “same-sex marriage” still implies a separate and therefore unequal category of marriage. It is thought, “Heterosexual marriage” and “same- sex marriage” still distinguishes a difference and is therefore disparate. “Marriage equality” would ensure non-discrimination.
The arguments advanced in support of same-sex marriage hold up well in a court of law. However, in the court of God, would these arguments stand? The direction this nation is going is evidence that fewer people care about God.
How few care to hear that Jesus Christ, although silent (in the red letter Bible) about homosexuality and sodomy, still did make it clear: that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female … therefore a man shall be united to his wife and the two shall become as one flesh. What God put together (authorized and instituted), let no man put away (Matthew 19:4-6). Where does same-sex marriage stand in Christ’s statement?
Still found within the very book many Christians and even same-sex Christians recognize, are the following words: “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust one for another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion” (Romans 1:26- 27).
No doubt, the adherents of the LGBT lifestyle will not acknowledge the call to repentance, nor are they willing to recognize that those individuals in the Apostle Paul’s day, who acknowledged their sinful homosexual lifestyle, did repent. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual 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” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). To repent of the perverted lifestyle of homosexuality is the hope and peace Jesus Christ offers. The love Jesus Christ has is that of saving sinners; not that which would allow them to remain in their sin.
Scriptures such as these and others, which reveal God and Jesus Christ’s point of view, call the behavior and practice of homosexuality sinful, evil, destructive, and a detriment to civil society. For one to repeat what the Bible already plainly says is offensive to the LGBT community. To preach from the Bible and to stand up for the word of God is close to becoming, by U.S. courts and the Federal government, a violation of hate speech laws.
One need not look into the Bible to understand the consequences of societies that gave way to full acceptance of homosexuality. History records the demise of once great societies such as Rome and Greece. The history of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah reveal God’s intolerance toward sexual perversions. God created human beings as male and female for a specific reason and functional purpose. Any deviance from that reality will only bring about sufferable consequences.
For now, 32 states have declared where they stand. When all 50 states have legalized same-sex marriage, when all 50 states have coalesced, standing in defiance of God’s holy laws and righteous ways, then the door of Ezekiel 9’s fulfillment will open. When comes fifty, then the blessing God has richly poured upon United States of America will cease and America will truly be all alone in this world, on its own.
