What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Arizona has Proposition 102 on the ballot this November. Originally I had planned on a long-winded post regarding the far-reaching consequences that the Far Right will be inflicting on itself (and the cause of Christ as a whole) by forcing through a bill of this nature. But just as I would chide the supporters of Prop 102 for attempting to act and speak on behalf of God, I can't allow myself to play the pretend prophet either. So rather than try to change anyone's mind, I am merely going to explain the commands of Christ as I see them and leave it at that.
I am not in support of Prop 102 for one reason: I do not see enough in the Word of God that would lead me to believe He would limit the legal rights of otherwise equal human beings.
The foundation upon which I build my life is my faith in Christ so it's there I'll begin. According to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin. Period. As a Christian, I accept this as an unavoidable Truth, in the same way I accept that lying and gossip and lust are also sins. My distaste for Prop 102 does not come from an avoidance of this particular facet of the particular Religious Law that I follow. Scripture makes clear God's feelings on the matter of "sin" and I'm in no way trying to deny the Truth that sin - any sin - has no place in God's presence.
In all honesty, I can understand why the proponents of 102 take the above Truth as far as they do. Still, I don't agree. I believe that the Truth begins and ends with the statement "homosexuality is a sin". Acknowledge that as the Word of God and go no further. I believe the body of Christ has been called to do one thing - love. The first commandment is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Period.
I can not, in good conscience, approve a proposition that undermines the free will and equality of a good-sized minority. Whether or not I agree with their lifestyle is irrelevant. As someone who has also sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (on a regular basis), I can see no reason why the benefits I would garner from a heterosexual marriage should be denied to someone who desires the same benefits when they are doled out by our government and not our churches.
To me, this is not a question of whether or not I agree with the idea of a man wanting to commit his life to another man. It's a question of whether or not I believe all men are created equal, not just in the eyes of the state and the nation but in the eyes of God as well. Furthermore, if I accept that to be true and accept that we are all given the free will to live our lives as we so choose, I can't see a basis for denying certain rights to certain people simply because their choices are different from my own.
In the end - and to me, this may be the most important factor that I need to think about as a Christian regarding the issue - our unjust judgment over this group of people does not show an accurate imitation of Christ to the world. We must allow for the world to change and do our best not to adapt the earth to a belief system it does not follow. We are not called to become like it or to make it more pleasant for us to live in. Rather, we are asked to be "little Christs" as C.S. Lewis said, impersonating as best we can the unconditional grace we've been shown.
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6)
It is because of love that they will come to know Him. There can not be another way.
Equality and the command of Christ
I HATE POLITICS (except not really)
I make it a policy not to discuss politics with democrats republicans the green party whores your mom (dur hur!) anyone, especially over the internet. Nothing says "ignorance" (well, except the word itself) like trying to boil all your foundational beliefs into a single entry/blog/website that a bazillion and 14 internet patrons will all interpret incorrectly. So rather than incur the wrath of self-important right wing-lesbian-bipolar-transexual-conservative-recycling-senior citizens on medicade, I choose to keep my mouf shut.
However.
My friend Jen does what I consider the best effing commentary each election year and she's already up to her eyeballs in bitchy snark.
"You know what this debate needed? Literal blood on the floor".
I heart this line in particular:
"My tax proposal involves locking all the CEOs in America into a cage and making them fight to the death! Many will enter...one will emerge as my Treasury Secretary!"
There. Politicking done now. Flipping switch back to "Switzerland".
