Why NOT Support Same Sex Marriage

I need to state unequivocally that it is possible to hold a principled objection to Same Sex Marriage. It is false to assume that one who holds strong core values regarding traditional marriage is simply acting out ignorance, hatred or some homophobic bias. One of the very first questions that proponents of Same Sex Marriage ask is, "What is wrong with two loving people wanting to get married"? They often follow that up with, "who are they hurting". Second to these kinds of questions, is the argument by Same Sex Marriage advocates that the "only basis" for not supporting Same Sex Marriage are the often quoted "Biblical admonitions". (Go to www.lifewithsmiles.com and click on the Q & A button to read more of what God says about Homosexuality) Even then some rationalize their support of Same Sex Marriage by pointing out that while the Old Testament condemns same-sex relationships, Jesus said nothing about it, so it must be okay. Granted, there is no recorded statement from Jesus on the subject of homosexuality. However, we have no direct quote from Jesus about slavery or rape either. So, obviously, the absence of a statement from Jesus doesn't qualify as an endorsement. Actually, for me the Biblical admonition is enough but for those who think that is my only reasoning or that my views qualify me as "homophobic", here are some Reasons Why I Do Not Support Same Sex Marriage apart from my strongly held biblical core values. By the way, it is very strange that advocates of Same Sex Marriage accuse people like me of "pushing my beliefs on others" well given the official estimates that the homosexual population ranges from 2 to 4 percent may I ask, "who is Pushing whom"? * Same Sex Marriage is Not Marriage Calling something marriage does not make it marriage. Marriage has always been a covenant between a man and a woman who is by its nature ordered toward the procreation and education of children and the unity and wellbeing of the spouses. The promoters of same-sex "marriage" propose something entirely different. They propose the union between two men or two women. This denies the self-evident biological, physiological, and psychological differences between men and women which find their complementarity in marriage. It also denies the specific primary purpose of marriage: the perpetuation of the human race and the raising of children. Two entirely different things cannot be considered the same thing. * Same Sex Marriage violates Natural Law Marriage is not just any relationship between human beings. It is a relationship rooted in human nature and thus governed by natural law. Any situation which institutionalizes the circumvention of the purpose of the sexual act violates natural law and the objective norm of morality. Being rooted in human nature, natural law is universal and immutable. It applies to the entire human race, equally. * Same Sex Marriage (by its nature) will always Deny a Child either a Father or a Mother It is in the child's best interests that he be raised under the influence of his natural father and mother. This rule is confirmed by the evident difficulties faced by the many children who are orphans or are raised by a single parent, a relative, or a foster parent. Obviously single parents or guardians of children do a wonderful job; however, the ideal is a father and mother in loving marital relationship. A child of a same-sex "marriage" will always be deprived of either his natural mother or father. Same-sex "marriage" ignores a child's best interests. * Same Sex Marriage Validates and Promotes the Homosexual Lifestyle In the name of the "family," same-sex "marriage" serves to validate not only such unions but the whole homosexual lifestyle in all its bisexual and transgender variants. Same Sex Marriage will externally shape the life of society, and also profoundly modify everyone's perception and evaluation of forms of behavior. * Same Sex Marriage turns a Moral Wrong into a Civil Right Homosexual activists argue that same-sex "marriage" is a civil rights issue similar to the struggle for racial equality in the 1960s. This is false. Inherited and unchangeable racial traits cannot be compared with non-genetic and changeable behavior. There is simply no analogy between the interracial marriage of a man and a woman and the "marriage" between two individuals of the same-sex. * Same Sex Marriage defeats the State's Purpose of Benefiting Marriage One of the main reasons why the State bestows numerous benefits on marriage is that by its very nature and design, marriage provides the normal conditions for a stable, affectionate, and moral atmosphere that is beneficial to the upbringing of children-all fruit of the mutual affection of the parents. Homosexual "marriage" has as its primary purpose the personal gratification of two individuals whose union is sterile by nature. It is not entitled, therefore, to the protection the State extends to true marriage. * Same Sex Marriage is the Cutting Edge of the Sexual Revolution In the 1960s, society was pressured to accept all kinds of immoral sexual relationships between men and women. Today we are seeing a new sexual revolution where society is being asked to accept same-sex "marriage." If homosexual "marriage" is universally accepted as the present step in sexual "freedom," what logical arguments can be used to stop the next steps of incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and other forms of unnatural behavior? Indeed, radical elements of certain "avant garde" subcultures are already advocating such aberrations. Admittedly, opponents of Same Sex Marriage are going to be labeled homophobic and intolerant. The bullies in the gay and lesbian community will hurl insults at our churches, accuse us of hate speech and of being out of step with where the culture is heading. Remember, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:11-12) Some Material Taken from TFP Student Action Dr. Tom Smiley is a pastor, author, speaker, blogger, husband, grand dad, and Christ-follower. He is a regional radio talk show host with WDUN Jacobs Media. He is the founder of Life with Smiles Ministry. His Sunday messages are broadcast on WDUN 550, and his "blog" entries and thoughts on God, Christian faith, current events, politics and Islam are available at http://tomsmiley.wordpress.com/ His books: Runaway Lives: Overcoming Emotional Undercurrents, Angels all Around, and Uncommon Common Sense can be ordered at his Life with Smiles website (www.lifewithsmiles.com). Dr. Smiley is available for speaking engagements and discussion forums and can be contacted at [email protected] or by calling 770.532.6307.