The last two weeks I have been writing about same-sex marriage. I want to give my final thoughts, at least for
the foreseeable future, this week.
As I have noted, this issue is not a straightforward one by
any means. People hold positions on both
(all?) sides of the issue for many complicated and complex reasons; both heart
felt and well thought out. The reasons
for and against can be supported in scripture, history, justice, and the
movement of the Holy Spirit. I believe that
most people I have discussed this with, who hold strong views on the issue, do
so not because of animosity or hatred against others. It is because they firmly believe that they
are being faithful to a position which is based in their understanding of what is
right for themselves, others and society.
Many on each side have their belief grounded in their understanding of scripture
as God’s word and God’s created order.
As I noted, I believe in the movement in our culture and in
our church which is moving towards the acceptance of same-sex relationships and
marriage. I believe this is a correct
understanding of the movement of the Holy Spirit in God’s world to enable
people who have been isolated, reviled and cast into outer darkness by society
and the church for many years, to live in loving union and relationships as we
are intended to by God.
I also realize that there is no guarantee that I or others can
have the absolute assurance that we understand without question where the Holy Spirit
is calling us and the church today. We
are called to discern where the Holy Spirit is acting in our lives and in the
world through reflection, prayer and thought.
One of the arguments by those opposing the movement to
same-sex marriage within the Anglican Church and other denominations, is that the
church is being influenced and led astray, giving into pressures by the culture. However, it must be acknowledged that there
has been, throughout the history of the Christian Church, an interplay between
culture and the doctrine of the church.
If this were not so the Christian Church would have remained a religion
that required observance of the purity laws of Judaism and required all members
to convert and to be circumcised.
I believe that Jesus showed in many of his interactions with
people and his offer of salvation was to give preference to being in
relationship with one another in love rather than an adherence to law. He believed that the Sabbath was made for man
and not man for the Sabbath. In a similar
way people should be supported in committed, loving relationships which can
offer people the opportunity to live out more fully who God intends them to be
rather than living as outcasts who are condemned because of, in my belief, a
mistaken understanding of the law as an expression of God will.
I know from friends and acquaintances, the pain and deep hurt
and damage that is caused by people being unaccepted, reviled and disowned by family,
society and church, not because of anything they have done but because of who
they have been from birth, if not before.
I recognize that part of the objection to same-sex marriage
is that this will change the fundamental meaning of marriage which is and should
remain between one man and one woman. I respect
that position but I do not agree with it.
I believe that the church should move to affirm same-sex marriage just as
it has other issues including ordination of women and the abolition of slavery. These have been supported and affirmed in the
past based on scriptural understanding which informed and supported the cultural
norm. Same-sex marriage should be
understood in the same way.
I want to end this reflection with the hope and prayer that regardless
of future decisions by the Anglican Church, its congregations and its members, we
can, in the words of the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, that we approach this issue in loving disagreement.
The Great Commandment by our lord and Saviour is that we
love one another as he loves us. Let us
do that knowing that it will not be easy or perfect.
Blessings on your journey.
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