Since the passing of Proposition 8 in California and this poorly-researched article in Newsweek, the Christian blogosphere has been all a flutter about same-sex marriage.
Sadly, most of the discussion sounds a lot like a clanging gong. (Although that may still be giving many of the culture warriors too much credit.)
Which is why I was sooooo pleased to see Bob Hyatt’s excellent, must-read post on same-sex marriage on his blog today.
“The Church is going to have to realize that gay men and women, in wanting what everyone else has, are asking for something reasonable. Rights of inheritance and property, custody and visitation- all of the rights granted currently by the state in marriage are good things, things we can affirm, even in relationships that we wouldn’t necessarily endorse.
On the other side, those pushing for SSM need to understand the depth of feeling involved in and around the word marriage- what is for many Christians a sacrament and for all Christians sacred. To have the State legislate an understanding of what is essentially a religious term, and to legislate it in a way contrary to the faith and practice of so many is profoundly offensive. This goes beyond legalization into the realm of endorsement and definition, and as such, is qualitatively different than many other culture war issues.”