I’m not much on making political statements or even entering into political debate, but some of the recent discussions I’ve had with people and witnessed between others regarding the Gay Marriage issue currently facing our nation has had me at least lightly entering the fray. In the process of this, I’ve discovered that one of the most common accusations from the gay and lesbian community and their supporters is that anyone who believes redefining marriage to allow gay couples to marry must, by definition, be motivated out of some combination of fear, hate, and bigotry. I do not believe this is the case and I’d like to explain my own personal stance here in this blog today. Perhaps it will help people to see where I believe “most” Christian people are coming from in this debate. Bear in mind, there are people who are motivated out of fear, hate and bigotry. I just don't think most Christians fit into this category, and I will strongly disagree with any Christian who engages in personal attacks or displays hatred and bigotry toward anyone, even in the heat of debate.

First of all, I want to dispel the notion that disagreeing with redefining marriage must be based on fear, hate, and bigotry. This accusation is often unfounded but is still leveled against Christians because it is such a strong rallying point for public outcry.  There are certainly people who are made uncomfortable by homosexuality, without question. It makes me uncomfortable, I will admit. However, I’m not homophobic. I also have no hatred for homosexuals. On the contrary, I have great compassion for them. As a person who is the recipient of God’s grace myself, and having also dealt with my own sin and needing ongoing repentance, I am keenly aware that these struggles are genuine. It may seem an affront to homosexuals for me to say this, but I hope and pray for their deliverance from this lifestyle. I care about them as people. I do see homosexuality as sinful and self-destructive behavior, just as I see other sins in the same way. Sexual sin (whether homosexual or heterosexual) is mentioned in Scripture as having particularly damaging effects on the individual, a sin against one's own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18) My feelings toward gay people, therefore, is that I have compassion for them and would even offer to help them if possible, to pray for them and counsel them if they would be interested. Many do not see themselves in need of any help and certainly not in need of any deliverance, but my purpose here is to simply explain where I’m coming from. I have no desire to force my views on anyone.

In light of this, it should also be known that I am not motivated by a desire to withhold rights from people. I do not have trouble with a person who has been a faithful friend or partner being allowed to visit their significant other in the hospital. Others may disagree with me, but I don’t even have an issue with gay couples having other legal rights afforded to married couples. It's the redefining of marriage that troubles me most.

Now, here is why I have an issue with gay marriage. It dishonors God. When I look at Scripture, I see that from the beginning, God created them male and female. (Genesis 1:27) It is also clear that marriage was the first institution founded by God in Genesis 2:24, where the writer says… “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” It is clear that the marriage relationship is foundational to God and that the family unit is intended to be the primary building block of society. Jesus Himself reiterated the importance of this relationship in Matthew 19 when He is explaining the reason for forbidding divorce. In addition to this, this foundational institution of marriage serves as a symbol of the relationship of Christ to His Church. In Revelation 19, the Apostle John says, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” This is the picture of the marriage feast of the Lamb to His Bride, the Church.

So, when I say that I’m against gay marriage, it is based upon the depth of meaning that marriage itself has to me and to my faith. I am not against people or against relationships. My thoughts are deeply rooted in my desire to honor God. If God defined “marriage” as between a man and a woman and instituted this relationship as the foundation for human society, then to redefine the word to include homosexual relationships is simply wrong from a Christian and Biblical perspective. I also believe that when a nation “officially” declares God to be in error in defining marriage, they are declaring themselves no longer in need of His guidance and care, and can certainly expect that there would be consequences to follow, which I would like for all of us to avoid, regardless of our sexual orientation. This is where I’m coming from and, while I certainly do not expect all to agree with me, I would hope that we can reasonably discuss these issues without things devolving into some kind of angry rant or name-calling, something which I simply refuse to do.

In closing, let me just add this: what homosexuals do in their own lives is their own business. I disagree with it and agree with Scripture that it is sinful, but it is their right. I am not against people loving one another and being committed to one another in any way. I do not mind civil unions nor any of the rights afforded to couples who engage in them, if the government is so inclined to extend these rights. If you really want to boil it down to the bottom line, here is what I would suggest might make the entire thing go away. Don’t call it “marriage.” Call it something else. Call it a civil union. Call it anything besides marriage because that is the real hang-up for me and I'd suggest it's likely the same for most Christians. Redefining something God has defined does not honor Him, and that’s my concern above all- honoring God.

D. Courtney Hill