Proposition h8?

Perhaps the title of this post is a bit harsh considering this is my first entry in seven months... but maybe a bit of harshness is appropriate.

I have grown accustomed to having a minority view among Christians when it comes to various social issues. And, for the most part, I'm ok with that. I don't usually make sweeping public statements about them, either way. (Of course, I love talking about it one-on-one or in small groups!) But the backlash that has resulted from the passing of Prop 8 (and similar laws in other states) has provoked some thoughts in my mind that cry out for public expression.

I think that many in the Christian community have completely missed the bus when it comes to gay marriage. Why do I say that?

In the past few years, Christians have begun to enjoy a certain amount of political clout in this country. While I don't think that a huge ultra-conservative Christian lobby is a good thing, I absolutely agree that thoughtful Christians should get more involved in the political process.

What I don't agree with is Christians using this newfound political power to outlaw gay marriage.

Two reasons:

1) This action puts a HUGE barrier in the way of any future discourse between Christians and the rest of the world. Since I believe that this discourse is vital - in fact, required (see the Great Commission) - we should be trying to remove barriers, not raise new ones. We have plenty of barriers already in place...

2) The 'sanctity of marriage' argument is completely ludicrous. Christians have done as much to destroy the sanctity of marriage as any other group out there. Christians have the same divorce rate as non-Christians. Public sex scandals, domestic abuse, misogynistic marital attitudes, the glass ceiling preventing women from being paid the same as men, etc... non-Christians have nothing on us when it comes to ruining marriage.

Am I saying that Christians should change their minds and embrace gay marriage? I'm not saying that at all. I am saying that we ought to consider embracing gay people. There is no way that someone being told that they can't marry the one they love won't perceive that as an attack. It's hard for me to reconcile the thought of attacking someone with the thought of loving them.

So, what then... should we allow our laws to reflect a changing view of marriage? I'd have to say yes. I think anyone who is a child of a mixed-race marriage would probably agree with me.

So, if we shouldn't use our political clout to enforce our views of marriage on the world, what should we use it for?

In my opinion, I would like to see us use our clout to show our love to the world. I'd like to see us push the government forward in the fight against poverty. I'd like to see us work to actually improve (not just quit hurting) the environment. Christians can (and should) be a driving force in education, health care, the economy, etc.

In short, I'd like to see Christians work as hard to show the world our love as we've worked in the past to show everyone else how wrong we think they are.

And, on the other end, I'd love to see Christians exemplifying Godly love and marriage in such a way that the world would actually crave what we have.