New Page 1

	Sign In Sign-Up

The Marriage Debate Continues...
Where Do You Stand?
by Sylvia Cochran - Staff Writer
<home>

It is just after dinner, the dishes are soaking in the sink, and the family has made themselves comfortable in the living room in front of the television. You flip through the channels, and before you know it, the news blares out that homosexual activists are petitioning for the legal right to marry. The camera pans away, and you see a reporter holding a microphone in front of an onlooker’s face -- the typical “man on the street” interview with “Joe Sixpack.” The latter scoffs at the outdated notion of marriage and is less than enthused about anyone -- gay or straight -- being shackled within the confines of this institution. Suddenly, the picture changes, and you are now watching the Senate Republicans attempting, in vain, to amend the United States Constitution to read: Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. And then it happens...you child turns to you and asks “what is all the fuss about?”

Indeed, what is the fuss all about? Do you have an opinion? Wherever you may stand politically on the issue of gay marriage, with the institution of marriage itself being discussed in the news, and with our children undoubtedly catching on that it is a hot-button issue, a Christian must be ready to weigh in, spiritually, where s/he stands on the issues.

The current societal climate of politically correct attitudes seeks to enchant us with questions such as “why all the hoopla about gay marriage? Why should it matter to you, as a.Christian, if a gay couple marries? Why shouldn’t the overall definition of family be broadened and perhaps modernized in keeping with societal developments? Why shouldn‘t those who desire to legalize their loving commitment be permitted to do so?"

From the Christian perspective, marriage, since time immemorial, has been divinely proclaimed to be between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-5). Further, Christ reiterated that it is a life-long commitment, not to be dissolved except in the case of marital infidelity (Matthew 19:9). While the marriage relationship is based on the social equality of man and woman (Galatians 3:28), it has roles assigned to it, with the woman being submissive to the man (1 Corinthians 11:8-9) and the man giving up everything he has/is to serve his wife and keep her spiritually safe (Ephesians 5:25-27).

As the Christian, these Scriptures should come as no surprise. However, have you modeled this in your own home (if you are a married) or expressed it as God’s expectation to your child or others with whom you talk about these issues?

Unfortunately, many a Christian is lulled into silence by the treacherous Siren song of political correctness. It has become “unfashionable” to be openly Christian, to openly uphold Christian values, and to openly speak out against that which one finds sinful or immoral. The words “sin” and “immoral” themselves appear to have been siphoned from the collective vocabulary and have been replaced with “mistake” and “alternative life choices”. Yet Christ Himself warns against the quiet acceptance of what He calls evil (Revelations 2-3). Therefore, if we are truly Christians, disciples of Christ, we must act as He would have acted, speak where He would have spoken up, and fight against what He would have fought -- not with violence, as He never did, but with the sword of the Spirit and the word of God. This way, He even overcame Satan himself!

You can reach Ms. Cochran at: sylviacochran@ucd.net