My thoughts on gay marriage

I have written on this subject before. In fact, it was my very first post on this blog.

Regulating marriage is nowhere listed among the enumerated powers granted to the federal government by the states or the people under the U.S. Constitution. Thus in the matter of "gay marriage" the Supreme Court acted lawlessly. By unilaterally decreeing it is now "unconstitutional" to deny marriage to same-sex couples, the Supreme Court "imposed" upon this citizenry a morality and practice that few Americans were willing to embrace or accept just a few years ago. This result was not achieved democratically, but by judicial fiat and, at its inception, was imposed against the will of a majority of the people by a few judges. (Notably, one homosexual judge threw out the election results banning gay marriage in California because, quite simply, he didn't like the outcome.)

We don't have a representative republic in America anymore, unless you conclude that the republic represents what our "leaders" want it to be for themselves. "The people" have little or no say anymore about anything of substance or import. Someone quipped: "If elections mattered, they would have outlawed them." Is that far from the truth?

I don't know if "gay marriage" is "right" or "wrong". I have struggled enough with sins, proclivities, inclinations and temptations in my own life to conclude that I would have found it IMPOSSIBLE to remain perfectly celibate and absolutely chaste throughout an entire life without marriage. To tell someone (who is as powerfully attracted to the same sex as I am to the opposite sex) "Don't touch. Don't tell." is to condemn them to a psychological and physical horror I would not wish to impose upon anyone.

I am convinced that sexual orientation has biological, environmental, and spiritual components and underpinnings -- just as do most (if not all) facets of human nature. God can and does work miracles, but sometimes the thorn in our flesh is not removed until it has finished its perfect work in us.

Which is the greater sin? To engage in sexual relations outside of marriage (or in "marriage") with someone of the same sex?

Or to not love your neighbor as yourself?

I believe that homosexuality is a psychosexual disorder that affects 1-2% of the human population. (How could it be otherwise? Homosexuality is biologically counter productive.) If a man, looking upon a woman to lust after her, commits adultery in his heart -- and adultery is sin, forbidden by God -- then surely a man who looks upon another man, lusting, likewise, commits sin. We must all learn to control and dominate our sexual urges, homosexual and otherwise.

But what outlet is afforded the homosexual in this life? What promise or hope of connubial bliss may he or she righteously entertain? Pray for a change of mind and heart and sexual orientation? (I certainly wouldn't discourage that.)

Meanwhile, Jesus spoke the truth when He said: "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." (Matt. 11:24.) If we "cast out" our gay friends from among us -- and judge them -- for wanting nothing more or less than what we would have (or give and do) ourselves, we are hypocrites, guilty of greater sin.

It was a mind-shattering concept for many whites to accept that blacks are "equal" and ought not to be discriminated against. The LGBT lobby equates its activity with the modern Civil Rights movement. However, sexual proclivity and behavior are not to be equated with skin color. We can control our actions; we cannot change the color of our skin. Likewise, same-sex marriage cannot be equated with heterosexual union because it is intrinsically different. A car painted a different color is still a car, but a cat, even if called a "dog", can never be a dog.

While there are heterosexual relationships that, in many respects, are not as "good" as the best of homosexual unions, no homosexual union can "equate" in form or function with "normal" heterosexual congress. They are fundamentally different. And always will be.

That said, we recognize that "weirdness" exists in nature and humanity. Some people are hermaphroditic. Their gender is questionable. I know of a man (whose DNA is biologically male) who was born with "female" genitalia and raised as such throughout "her" life ... until she married another man -- and discovered (when they couldn't conceive) that she is, in fact, male!

Is "she" sinful? Wrong?

If biology plays "tricks" on us physically, why not psychologically, sexually, or emotionally?

We all have crosses to bear. Just as it shatters the minds (and religions!) of many to embrace blacks as "equals" (and maybe even "superiors"!), it must shatter the minds and hearts of some today to "accept" that homosexuals -- for now -- may find themselves preternaturally inured to the same sex. I imagine most homosexuals, like most of us, want nothing more than to have a lasting, loving, intimate relationship with another, even sexual companionship and fulfillment. I have nothing but sympathy for them. I want them to be happy.

There are lessons to be learned by living in this world -- lessons "taught" to us by our circumstances and conditions: race, sex, opportunities, handicaps. (I have known people who have struggled with poverty and riches. To each his own lessons!) We must not condemn others (even as we acknowledge their conditions and circumstances) because we might not do as well as they have done were we to be placed in their shoes.

God is love. Let us give to others as we would give to ourselves. It is all we can do.

And all that is expected of us.

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That being said, I do not "condone" homosexual conduct or behavior (or heterosexual behavior outside of marriage) any more than I "condone" (or "condemn") epilepsy. I merely "accept" and "tolerate" it. It is what it is. We must all demonstrate tolerance, patience and love as we strive for perfection in all things and seek to pattern our lives after the manner of our Eternal Progenitors.