Christians must have a sober awareness of what the tragic legal decisions regarding same-sex marriage will mean for them and Christianity itself. Sadly, it seems, many Christians seem relatively unbothered by these decisions, or even, inexplicably, have supported them. Perhaps some are more concerned about fitting in with the latest societal trends than with standing for God’s truth about marriage or perhaps they don’t yet see the very real ramifications.
Regardless, there are several reasons why Christians should and must continue to oppose same-sex marriage if they truly believe what Christianity teaches and value the Church’s voice in society.
The first is love. Loving someone means wanting what is truly good for them — both now and forever (never overlooking that “forever” part).
Loving someone who struggles with this attraction would never involve condoning their acting on it — doing so would be to oppose a clear moral truth. I would be condoning what has always been (and always will be) seriously wrong. I would not only be supporting someone in their sin, and sharing in the guilt, but would fail in my Christian duty to love.
Interestingly, many who support same-sex marriage claim “love” as their motivation. Doing so completely misunderstands love and opposes what Jesus actually taught about love.
Love never condones sin and would never encourage someone to jeopardize their relationship with God for a relationship with another person (see Mt 18:8-9). After all, not every human relationship is compatible with God’s law. Human desire cannot change God’s design for human nature.
Marriage itself is also seriously affected. Marriage has held such a prominent role in society and has been protected by civil and religious laws because of the unique and irreplaceable role it plays.
Many relationships are important, but only true marriage offers what marriage offers. It is the “backbone of civilization” (as St. John Paul II and others have noted).
Only marriage between man and woman forms the natural and intended place for new life to come into the world, and only it bears the very image of our Trinitarian God. Only there can one be raised by both a mother and a father who uniquely and irreplaceably become models of natural masculinity, femininity and lifelong commitment.
A civilization that understands and protects this unique and invaluable institution is one that survives and flourishes. One which fails to defend it or extol its unique contributions becomes one without a solid foundation on which to build. We need not look far to see how the disintegration of the natural family results in poor consequences for society.
To elevate any other relationship to the status of marriage which is not by nature marriage, and cannot therefore offer what only marriage does, is a failure to defend civilization’s true foundation and knowingly or unknowingly work toward its ultimate demise. Society is not strengthened by failing to recognize and defend that upon which it depends.
Finally, the effects on religious liberty are devastating. If same-sex relationships are considered marriage by law, then anyone who disagrees becomes a target.
Inevitably laws are passed making it illegal to speak against such unions. Schools must teach curriculums which treat all relationships as equal. Religious institutions or businesses are subject to lawsuits or penalties if they disagree. Opposition is quickly opposed and stamped out (so much for tolerance).
Accepting “same-sex marriage” means eradicating meaningful Christian influence in society (some would claim this is not unintended). Replacing it will be a godless secularism and at best only an impotent and faux Christian voice permitted to say only what a hostile law allows.
The true foundation for human flourishing is replaced by a fictitious promise for societal advancement. However, human society cannot truly advance without God’s presence, since He is the origin and goal of humanity. This matters for anyone who believes that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life, and that only He can save us.