Numerous countries and states have granted the privilege of marriage to people of the same sex. Others are considering doing so.
This
has followed after years of progressive moral decline: no-fault divorce,
legalized abortion, trial marriages and the sexual revolution, and the gay
rights movement. Granting marital status to homosexuals is one of the greatest
downward leaps in this long progression.
The
purpose of this study is to consider what view decent moral people ought to
take, not just about homosexuality in general, but specifically about
homosexual marriage. What effects will result if homosexuals are granted the
right to marry?
What
about people who do not practice homosexuality? How can this affect us?
Consider
the following areas of concern:
I.
Effects on Moral & Religious Standards
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The
moral standards of our society have been in general decline for decades.
Consider the impact of gay marriage on this digression.
A. The
Bible Says Homosexuality Is both Immoral and Contrary to Nature.
=========================================
Genesis
1:26-28 - From creation God intended the sexual union to be a mating of male
and female. Homosexuality is an unnatural abuse of reproductive mating.
1
Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11 -- Homosexuals and sodomites (NKJV) are
listed among other sins that are "contrary to the gospel" and cause
people to not inherit the kingdom of God. These terms definitely refer to
homosexuality, and are so translated in virtually all modern translations
[NKJV, NIV, NASB, RSV, etc.; see NKJV footnotes; cf. Thayer, etc.].
Romans
1:26,27 -- "Men burning in lust for men" clearly refers to
homosexuality. This is described as leaving the natural use of a woman and
exchanging the natural use for what is "against nature." God says
this is "vile passion," "shameful," and "error."
Note
that homosexuality is not just unnatural; it is "against" or contrary
to nature. It inherently violates the natural order ordained by God. It can be
viewed as nothing less than an abuse of the natural order of sexual mating.
[Leviticus 18:22,23; 20:13,15,16]
[2
Peter 2:6-8; Jude 7; Deut. 23:17,18; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kings
23:7.]
For
further discussion of the morality of homosexuality, see a link to our article
on our Bible Instruction web site at gospelway.com/instruct.
B. Gay
Marriage Presents Homosexuality as Acceptable, Even Wholesome.
=======================================
An
article in World Magazine, 3/6/04, describes three countries - Sweden, Denmark,
and Norway - that recognize homosexual unions. It concludes: "Today's gay
activists in Scandinavia, having gotten everything they wanted, now admit that
their case for homosexual marriage ... was only a tactical argument. The goal
... was not marriage but social approval for homosexuality."
In
short, gay activists do not seek simply the freedom to practice their lusts.
They cannot live with the knowledge that their practice has been viewed as a
perversion by the vast majority of people in every religion and every civilized
society throughout world history. So they are determined to force society to
accept their conduct as normal, morally upright, and even admirable.
In
contrast to homosexual relations, marriage has been honored throughout history.
Sexual activity, that is immoral outside marriage, is yet pure and upright
within marriage. Governments and churches have endorsed it, legalized it, and
solemnized it. So, obtaining the status of marriage would give homosexuals the
respectability they so deeply covet. It would legitimize the moral
acceptability of their conduct.
But
from a Biblical viewpoint, gay marriage takes a moral perversion from the depths of immorality and elevates it to
the pinnacle of respectability and wholesomeness.
Note
what follows when society takes this course: Read Romans 1:28-32.
II.
Effects on Marriage
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. The
Bible Authorizes Marriage as an Honorable Relationship between a Man and a
Woman.
============================================
Genesis
2:18-24 - God ordained marriage at creation - a man cleaves to his wife (woman)
and they become one flesh. But everything God made at creation was "very
good" (Genesis 1:31). (The New Testament confirms that this refers to the
lifetime marriage bond of a man and a woman - Matt. 19:3-9; Eph. 5:22-33; cf.
Rom. 7:2,3.)
Note
that God created woman to satisfy man's need for a marriage and sexual
companion. Animals were not adequate, so mating of men with animals is moral perversion. Likewise, God did not
create another man for this purpose, so sexual mating of two males (or two
females) is also moral perversion.
1
Corinthians 7:2-4 - To avoid fornication, a man should have his own "wife"
(i.e., woman). God here expressly confirms that marriage companions must be of
the opposite gender and that each may satisfy sexual desires only with his/her
marital companion. It necessarily follows that same-sex unions can never be
proper marriages.
Hebrews
13:4 -- Marriage is honorable and the sexual relationship (the "bed")
is undefiled only within marriage. Any sexual relationship outside marriage
constitutes "fornication," which God will judge. But remember that
marriage is honorable only between a man and a woman; therefore, homosexuality
must be fornication.
So
marriage is the only authorized relationship for satisfying the need for
lifetime companionship and for sexual affection. But it involves one man with
one woman with a lifetime commitment. Only that relationship is honorable by
God's decree.
B.
"Gay Marriage" Destroys the Beauty and Honor of Marriage.
======================================
Marriage
is made equivalent to moral perversion.
****************************************
Instead
of the honorable companionship and affection of the marriage of a man and
woman, an immoral perverted relationship is dignified to the status of
marriage.
Furthermore,
homosexuals who profess marriage do not honor it as a truly monogamous
relationship. Research has shown that so-called "committed" or
"monogamous" homosexual couples always eventually have other partners
- on the average, eight other partners per year! (See Culture Facts, 12/9/02;
and Traditional Values Coalition, July 19, 2003)
There
is no such thing as true marital commitment among homosexuals. When a
heterosexual couple commits adultery, the Bible calls it sinful. And it is all
too common, but it is nowhere near the frequency of unfaithfulness among homosexuals
couples. To call such relationships "marriage" makes a lie of the
whole concept of marriage.
Recognition
of homosexual marriage denigrates respect for marriage.
*****************************************************
Consider
the results in the Scandinavian countries that already recognize homosexual
unions. According to the article in World, a researcher at the Hoover Institute
reports: "Scandinavian gay marriage has driven home the message that
marriage itself is outdated and that virtually any family form, including
out-of-wedlock parenthood, is acceptable."
"...in
Sweden, the few young couples who do get married often do not like to admit it,
since what they have done is so far out of the norm that they feel
embarrassed."
If even
homosexuals can marry, marriage must not mean much. The result is a nearly
complete repudiation of marriage by society.
The
ultimate results will be acceptance of polygamy, group marriage, pedophilia,
and bestiality.
*****************************************************
If two
men can marry, why not a man and several women? Then why not 3 men and 5 women?
And why not a man with a boy, or even a man and an animal?
All
these practices stand or fall with homosexual marriage. All are sexual moral
perversions. All violate that fundamental nature of marriage. All are
repudiated by the same line of reasoning. And any reasoning that justifies one
would justify all.
When
society accepts homosexual marriage, they abandon every defense for rejecting
other moral perversions. Cases are already being filed in court.
The
article in World concludes that, although the homosexuals achieved their goal
of social acceptance for homosexuality, "now there is little social
approval for marriage." Instead of being the honored majority, those who
still believe in marriage will become the rejected minority! Could it be that
this is what many homosexuals want?
Marriage
has been respected as the ideal sexual relationship. But marriage implies a
lifetime commitment of monogamy and sexual fidelity - a standard which we have
seen most homosexuals have no desire to follow. It is hard to avoid the
conclusion that many homosexuals would rejoice to see the destruction of the
cultural norm that has so long excluded them and exposed the immorality of
their own promiscuity. Gay marriage, rather than producing sexual fidelity
among homosexuals, may instead be a tool intended to virtually destroy
heterosexual marriage. To the extent that is the effect, then all who believe
in marriage have every reason to oppose it.
III.
Effects on Children
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. God
Instituted Marriage to Protect and Provide for Children.
======================================
Genesis
1:26-28; 2:24 - God told male and female to reproduce and said man should be
"one flesh" with his wife. "One flesh" includes the sexual
bond (1 Cor. 6:16). One reason God restricted the sexual union to marriage is
that this gives children a family with both a father and a mother to raise
them.
Proverbs
1:8 - Children should hear the instructions of their fathers and not forsake
the law of their mothers. [Ephesians 6:2,3]
The
fundamental concept throughout Scripture is that a family should consist of a
father and a mother who train and provide for their children. Sometimes
circumstances beyond our control take away father or mother, and sometimes one
or the other deserts the family. But these should be viewed as tragedies. To
deliberately choose to compel a child to live without the benefit of both a father
and a mother is irresponsible, unloving, and immoral.
Throughout
Scripture, only heterosexual marriage gives children the family relationship
God ordained.
B.
Homosexual Marriage Deprives Children of the Benefit of Both a Father and a
Mother.
============================================
The
children of homosexuals will suffer.
********************************
Homosexuals
cannot reproduce, but some have children by a previous heterosexual marriage.
Others seek to adopt children. And homosexuals have become a major driving
force behind the push for cloning, surrogate motherhood, artificial
insemination, and test-tube babies.
Often
courts have refused custody or adoption to homosexuals, but how can the state
refuse when they recognize the relationship as a legal marriage?
Many
secular studies are demonstrating the harm done when children are raised
without the benefit of both father and mother. Who can imagine the additional
harm done when, in addition to missing a father or mother, children are raised
by adults living in obvious moral perversion?
The
children of heterosexuals will suffer.
*********************************
As the
World article stated, the result of gay marriage has been that "virtually
any family form, including out-of-wedlock parenthood, is acceptable." So
as the foundation of marriage crumbles, children are raised by homosexual
couples or in single-parent households.
As a
result vast numbers of youth will grow up with little sense of morality, little
parental guidance, and no strong family attachment. If we have rampant juvenile
delinquency now, imagine the result as future generations grow up! And pity the
poor children who have been subjected to such parental neglect.
The
effect will be significant harm to the family, to children, and ultimately to
society.
IV.
Effects on Religion and Religious Organizations
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. The
Church Is Responsible to Preach the Truth and Oppose Evil.
=========================================
1
Timothy 3:1,2 - Each church bishop (elder) must be the husband of one wife. All
church leaders must be morally upright, so no homosexual could serve as a
Scriptural elder or bishop.
1
Corinthians 5:9,11 - The church must discipline any member who is guilty of
fornication, but that includes homosexuals.
1
Timothy 3:15 - The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.
2
Timothy 4:2-4 - Preaching the truth requires rebuking and opposing error.
So
God's true church must reject homosexuals from church leadership, must refuse
to accept homosexuals as members (unless they repent), and must preach against
homosexuality.
B. Gay
Marriage Will Pressure the Church to Accept Homosexuality.
=========================================
Historically
religion has been deeply involved in marriage. The church should defend God's
will regarding marriage. Preachers are authorized to perform ceremonies. Some
denominations view it as a "sacrament," others solemnize the
ceremony.
This
puts religious groups in the forefront of the conflict regarding homosexual
marriage.
Already
liberal denominations are compromising.
***************************************
Many
accept practicing homosexuals as members.
Some
accept them as preachers or are considering doing so.
Some
solemnize gay unions.
Some
appoint homosexual bishops or leaders
Imagine
the pressures churches will face if homosexual marriage is legalized.
*****************************************************
Churches
will be pressured to accept homosexual members and leaders. How can they refuse
- they are legally married!
Churches
will be pressured to perform homosexual marriages. Many will give in.
Churches
and religious institutions (schools, colleges, bookstores), will be sued to
compel them to hire homosexuals.
The
World article describes how the state church in Norway at first opposed
homosexuality and other sexual immorality. Then the government approved
homosexual marriage. The resulting pressures led to a battle in the church over
ordaining homosexuals. In the end liberal theologians took over the leadership
of the church.
No
faithful congregation of God's people will ever accept practicing, unrepentant
homosexuals as leaders, as members, or as validly married. Congregations that
do accept them will cease to be God's true people. Legalization of gay marriage
will cause great pressures on churches. Those who stand for truth will be a
definite minority, and many groups will fall away.
V.
Effects on Government & Education
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. God
Ordained Government to Punish Evil and Reward Good.
======================================
1 Peter
2:13,14; Romans 13:1-4 - Rulers were ordained by God to punish those who do
evil and praise those who do good. God created government specifically to
protect good people from being harmed by evil people. Surely this would include
opposing the propagation of such evils as homosexuality.
The
church and government have separate roles, but both church and government share
a common duty to promote good morals and discourage evil conduct.
Luke
2:51,52 - Jesus' training caused Him to increase in wisdom and in favor with
God and man. These should be the goals of all true education. If the government
chooses to involve itself in education, then it ought at least to promote
morality. It should not penalize godly people by promoting evil among their
children.
B. Gay
Marriage Puts Government in the Position of Justifying Evil.
========================================
The
government licenses and legalizes marriage.
****************************************
Legalizing
gay marriage puts the government in the position of condoning evil that God
ordained them to oppose.
Justices
of the peace and all government officials who perform marriages will be
compelled to marry homosexuals. Every justice of the peace in the land will be
compelled to condone immorality, because no morally upright person would marry
homosexuals! Consider what this means regarding our judges. No decent person
can perform homosexual marriage, so only immoral people will serve as judges!
Next
will come pressures for the government to grant adoption and child custody to homosexuals.
Then the government will be pressured to legalize polygamy, group marriage,
etc.
The
government provides social security and tax benefits.
***********************************************
Homosexual
couples will file for tax breaks and every possible financial advantage of
marriage. Social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and all welfare programs will be
compelled to provide every form of financial benefit to "spouses" and
dependents of homosexual couples, just like it does for legitimately married
people. These are all stated goals of the homosexual movement.
This
will involve a significant per capita increase in costs, since statistics prove
that homosexual practices promote significant increases in disease and early
death. But the government can't refuse if the people are "married."
The expense will paid for by your taxes and mine.
The
government provides military services.
**********************************
In the
past homosexuals could not legally serve in the military for many reasons, not
the least of which would be the difficulty of maintaining privacy from
homosexual lusts and sexual advances.
But
with homosexuals legally married, how can the government refuse them induction
into military service? Military service would become an open invitation to
moral perversion. How can a nation be effectively defended when such conduct
predominates?
The
government runs public schools and universities.
*******************************************
Already
the schools often promote tolerance for homosexuality in the name of
"diversity." Students are told gays are a minority group like people
of a different race or nationality, so they must not be
"discriminated" against.
God and
the Bible have in effect been eliminated from public education, so children of
Christians cannot defend their convictions by open appeal to Scripture.
Consider
how much more open and extreme these problems will become if homosexuals can
legally marry. Schools will be compelled to defend homosexual relationships.
Textbooks must be as favorable to homosexual marriage like any other marriage,
because it is licensed and sanctioned by the government.
The end
result of gay "marriage" will be virtually complete endorsement of
homosexuality by the government, the military, and government-run schools. The
rulers that God ordained to oppose evil and reward the righteous will instead
defend the evildoers and oppose the righteous.
VI.
Effects on Business and Entertainment
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A.
Business and Entertainment Should Provide Wholesome Products.
=========================================
Ephesians
4:28 - Legitimate labor involves providing "that which is good."
Matthew
18:6,7 - In particular, as in all human conduct, businesses should not provide
that which tempts or lures people into sin.
Businesses
have a right to exist, but they must encourage people to purity and decency,
not to immorality and lust.
B. Gay
Marriage Will Pressure Businesses to Cooperate with Evil.
=======================================
Businesses
will be compelled to support gay marriage.
********************************************
Companies
must provide insurance benefits for homosexual "spouses" just like
other spouses - they're legally married.
But
remember that homosexuals experience far higher rates of disease and death than
other people, including venereal diseases and AIDS. Studies show that domestic
violence is significantly greater among homosexual couples (Culture Facts,
December 7, 2001). The average homosexual can expect to die by age 41.
Companies
will face the moral and financial consequences of providing benefits for these
people. Many will simply choose not to provide benefits for dependents at all,
so many families of upright people will lose their benefits.
All
government-run businesses and companies that do business with the government
will be forced to provide these benefits for homosexual spouses, paid for by
our tax dollars. Laws to compel these benefits already exist or are being
developed in many areas.
Businesses will pressure employees to accept gay
marriage. Those who refuse may be punished or fired.
People
will face moral issues of doing business with homosexual couples.
*****************************************************
Landlords
and motel owners must decide whether or not to rent to homosexual couples.
Restaurants
and other meeting places must decide whether they will rent to homosexual
couples for weddings, receptions, anniversaries, or other "family"
gatherings.
Printers,
florists, photographers, caterers, seamstresses, and bridal and clothing stores
must decide whether or not to provide services for homosexual weddings,
receptions, anniversaries, or other "family" meetings.
Businesses that refuse will be sued and fined.
The
list of conflicts is endless.
Entertainment
will flood us with homosexual themes.
******************************************
Already
homosexuals are increasingly portrayed favorably in countless movies, TV shows,
magazines, and books. Imagine the flood of favorable shows when gays marriage
is recognized. Gays will be shown dating, marrying, and in sexual situations
just as openly and regularly as heterosexuals are now shown.
One
cable-TV network is already devoted to shows about homosexuality. The goal is
to compel every cable subscriber to receive it.
And all
these shows will be openly advertised like other programs are now advertised,
even when you are trying to watch a decent program.
Advertisements
will openly promote their products by appealing to and portraying homosexuals,
as they do other couples now.
Newspapers,
radio, and TV will regularly report activities of homosexual couples, just like
they do other couples.
The
result will be a society completely saturated by promotion of homosexuality,
just like we are now surrounded by promotion of gambling, beer, immodesty, and
other forms of indecency. After all, it will be legal!
VII.
Effects on Moral Persecution
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. In
Every Age Immoral People Persecute Those Who Rebuke Them.
==========================================
The
Bible repeatedly warns of this.
John
15:18-22; 16:1-4 - We should expect the world to hate us just as it did our
Master.
Genesis
19:7,9 - When Lot rebuked the homosexuals Sodom, they threatened harm to him.
The
more corrupt a society becomes, the more openly evil is practiced, the more
that society accepts wickedness, the more certain persecution of the righteous
becomes.
[Matthew
5:10-12; 13:21; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12; Romans 5:3; 8:17-39; 2 Corinthians
1:4-10; 4:17; 7:4; Hebrews 10:32-36; 1 Peter 2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1,15-19; 5:10]
B. Many
Homosexuals Will Never Be Satisfied Till Those Who Make Them Feel Guilty Have
to Suffer!
============================================
They
view those who rebuke them as oppressors. They portray themselves as a
persecuted minority, and many are determined to reverse the roles. They intend
to compel acceptance by all.
I have
seen videos and read reports of homosexuals invading meetings of churches or
others who oppose homosexuality. They yell and scream, shout slogans, call
people "homophobes," etc. They take over meetings, and the police
repeatedly do nothing.
Efforts
are underway to pass "hate crime laws" that give special privileges
to homosexuals. The goal is for anyone who speaks against homosexuality to be
sued in court.
Already
Canadian laws have been used to fine companies that refuse to do business with
homosexuals. They passed a law banning any speech against homosexuality (with a
weak exception for speech based on religious texts). Preachers have been fined.
All
this is pressed in the name of "tolerance." But those who demand that
others "tolerate" their immorality are invariably the most intolerant
people in the world toward those who rebuke their evil. As they gain influence,
many will use every means at their disposal against those who oppose their immorality:
ridicule, threats, loss of jobs and business, court suits, fines, and
eventually imprisonment, violence, and even death.
Conclusion
======
Isaiah
5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for
light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
What better description could there be for those who would grant the honorable
relationship of marriage to those who practice the corrupt perversion of
homosexuality?
Psalms
11:3 - If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Marriage is
fundamental to the family, to child raising, to the nation, and ultimately to
the foundation of any civilized society. When it is destroyed, what can we do?
We must
not practice personal vengeance, let alone violence, against those who advocate
or practice homosexuality! Nothing in the Scriptures or in this study should
ever be taken to justify such means. See Luke 6:27,28,31-33; Matthew
5:21,22,38ff; Romans 12:17-21; Leviticus 19:17,18; 1 Peter 2:21-23; 3:8,9.
But
here are some things we must do to the best of our ability:
*
Commit ourselves to believing and practicing God's plan for marriage: one man
for one woman for life (Gen. 2:24).
* Teach
this plan diligently to our children (Eph. 6:4).
*
Insist that the local church defend Scriptural marriage and refuse to
compromise with error (1 Tim. 3:15).
* Speak
out openly to defend this plan and to rebuke all who defend homosexual marriage
(2 Tim. 4:2-4).
*
Admonish civil rulers who compromise with immoral views of marriage (Acts
24:25).
* Vote
for those who will defend proper marriage (Rom. 13:1-5).
*
Refuse to fellowship or have any part in homosexual marriage (Eph. 5:11).
*
Refuse to participate in any form of entertainment that justifies homosexuality
(Eph. 5:11).
*
Insist that those who educate your children not justify homosexuality or other
forms of immorality. God put you in charge of your child's education, so do
whatever it takes to train them in godliness, including choosing alternative
forms of education if necessary (Eph. 6:4).
* Pray
without ceasing. Pray for your marriage and your children, for the church and
all faithful teachers, for civil rulers and for our nation (1 Tim. 2:1,2).
* Trust
in God to protect and care for you through any opposition or persecution that
results (Rom 8:31-39).
*
Remember, that regardless of what happens in this life, ultimately the victory
belongs to God and His people. The Lord Himself will deal with those who oppose
truth - Matthew 5:10-12.
Sources
Cited
~~~~~~~~~
Citizen,
Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO
Culture
Facts, Family Research Council, Washington, DC
"Sexual
Disorientation: Faulty Research in the Homosexual Debate," Family Research
Council, Washington, DC
Traditional
Values Coalition, web site at traditionalvalues.org
*****************************************************
Hillcrest Church of Christ
