Baptist View On Same Gender Marriage

[Jon-Marc]

I have met some very nice "homosexuals", but then I've met some very nice atheists. Nice, though, won't get them through the gate of heaven.

Homosexual marriages are sinful. I'm not sure about civil union "marriages". What exactly does it take for God to recognize a couple's union as a marriage? At one time all it took was for a couple to have sex, and they were married. Does a marriage have to be done by a minister for God to recognize it? Is a minister saying "I now pronounce you husband and wife" the only thing God accepts as a married couple?

I once read that elderly couples who wanted to marry were being forced to just live together due to an unjust law that causes both of their retirement incomes to be cut if they marry--making it impossible for them to get by financially. So in that respect, the government is encouraging elderly couples to "live in sin".

 

[rbell]

Has anyone looked into the various studies about the origin of homosexuality, and the possibility there is a genetical cause?

Homosexuality has been around since early in Genesis. Is it not strange how it continued on through human history and every now and then pops up as a critical behaviour of mankind?

I wonder about these things also. I know that just a hand full of years ago if someone in high school was gay they stood a good chance of being beaten on a regular basis. I don't know why any student would choose this for themselves if this lifestyle was strictly a choice on their part.

So if being homosexual is a genetic roll of the dice--seems awfully mean of God to "make someone that way" just to condemn the behavior He designed into them. Sorry...doesn't make logical or theological sense.

Like I said...we're broken people, and one man's temptation might not tempt another. But the "it's in the genetics" is a cop-out, IMO, and cheapens the Scriptures' unilateral condemnation of homosexuality.

 

[jaigner]

So if being homosexual is a genetic roll of the dice--seems awfully mean of God to "make someone that way" just to condemn the behavior He designed into them. Sorry...doesn't make logical or theological sense.

Like I said...we're broken people, and one man's temptation might not tempt another. But the "it's in the genetics" is a cop-out, IMO, and cheapens the Scriptures' unilateral condemnation of homosexuality.

I think many of us are genetically predispositioned to struggle with this or that. It's not that God made us that way, it's a direct result of the fall.

 

[dcorbett]

This discussion then could take a bit of a turn and ask what role should the Bible play in setting the moral standards for society. It seems the founders of our nation (USA) believed the Law of God should serve as the foundation for our own civil laws. Or do we let the wicked run the nations?

The laws of God have long been the standard for many countries as they structured their governments and established courts and penal institutions.

 

[Jim1999]

In this discussion, some are still confusing a biblical marriage and a civil marriage. One is what God declared to be so, and this does not require government approval,and a civil marriage so dictated by the laws of the land; required for legal applications. With the plethora of divorcement, even among Christians, a legal pie is being sliced, and then there is the tax question.

There is no question that the Fall affected all humanity and we can expect deviation from God's intended purpose of the union between man and woman.

I am not posing questions because I accept homosexuality as normal or accepted by scripture, but simply that we try to understand those who embrace homosexuality within society and deal with them as people, the same as we would or should with a drunk with a behavioural problem.

It has been around from the beginning, but has become more "noisy" of late. Some 40 years ago it was in the backroom, so to speak, and now is very public.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[jaigner]

Well said, Jim. For some reason, we have trouble even acknowledging that homosexuals are people, usually with deep wounds, that we need to reach with Christ's love. As if it were contagious or something. And you are also right that true marriage is based upon God's pronouncement, and civil unions or marriage for gays is not going to weaken or damage that in any way.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Well said, Jim. For some reason, we have trouble even acknowledging that homosexuals are people, usually with deep wounds, that we need to reach with Christ's love. As if it were contagious or something. And you are also right that true marriage is based upon God's pronouncement, and civil unions or marriage for gays is not going to weaken or damage that in any way.

Rather, Christians and preachers need to acknowledge that homosexuals are sinners, dead in their sins and trespasses, rebels and enemies of an All Holy God, under his just wrath, and are commanded by God to repent and believe the Gospel.

And homosexuality should be illegal.

 

[jaigner]

Rather, Christians and preachers need to acknowledge that homosexuals are sinners, dead in their sins and trespasses, rebels and enemies of an All Holy God, under his just wrath, and are commanded by God to repent and believe the Gospel.

And homosexuality should be illegal.

Should other sin be illegal? Should adultery be illegal? Should it be illegal to lie and gossip? Do we say the same things to men who physically and emotionally abuse their wives and children?

I am not in favor of homosexuality, but it seems to me that there are better ways to reach people. And we need to be consistent in our love for other people. Legislating morality in this way will not change hearts.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Should other sin be illegal? Should adultery be illegal? Should it be illegal to lie and gossip? Do we say the same things to men who physically and emotionally abuse their wives and children?

I am not in favor of homosexuality, but it seems to me that there are better ways to reach people. And we need to be consistent in our love for other people. Legislating morality in this way will not change hearts.

I do think adultery should be illegal. In fact, some folks in NJ were recently charged under anti-adultery laws for their lewd behavior.

If civil laws are to be devoid of morality then we are creating a society of lawlessness, licentiousness, and ungodliness. Our civil laws are given to govern behavior.

We do have laws that govern lying, cheating, and stealing...as it relates to behavior.

And yes, the message of the Gospel to the homosexual is the same as to the abuser of mankind, as to the aduterer, drunkard, liar, theif, idolator, covetous, et.

Sin is lawlessness. And our laws should derive their justification from the eternal and holy Law of God found in the Bible, and natural law. Homosexuality is destructive to society in that it is fundamentally flawed in its family unit. Not only condemned in Scripture, but natural law and reason make it an abomination.

 

[Revmitchell]

Should other sin be illegal? Should adultery be illegal? Should it be illegal to lie and gossip? Do we say the same things to men who physically and emotionally abuse their wives and children?

I am not in favor of homosexuality, but it seems to me that there are better ways to reach people. And we need to be consistent in our love for other people. Legislating morality in this way will not change hearts.

All legislation is about morality.