In light of the Supreme Court ruling on June 26th, 2015 that legalizes gay marriage in all 50 states, I felt the need to write about it, as many others have as well. Responses to this decision have ranged from elated to angered and everything in between, but I’m not here to give either of those responses. Instead, I’d like to take a look at the bigger picture.
As we all know, gay marriage and its legalization sparks up such a debate with people, one of the main reasons being because this decision conflicts with the Christian faith. Many have posted the verse that comes from Leviticus 18:22 that states, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” Or some other verse that sounds a lot like this one.
This verse is many people’s excuse to say and post hateful things about the LGBT community, its supporters, and the recent Supreme Court decision, and it needs to stop. Being a follower of the Christian faith means striving to live like Jesus did --- selfless, kind, and loving --- and I just can’t imagine, if Jesus was physically present in today’s day and age, that He would approve of the hateful words in circulation about this issue, much less be the one saying them. Something that I’ve realized, thankfully early on in life, is that you can still love someone and not support a certain aspect of their life. Isn’t that what God’s love does? I know I continually make mistakes that God does not support, but I am so thankful that He truly loves me anyways.
So, let’s all try loving like that for a change. If you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision and don’t support the people who are against it, okay. But love them anyways. If you disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision and don’t support the people who are for it, okay. But love them anyways. Let’s all act like adults for a change and express our ideas and views in a respectful manner, rather than in a way that demeans and belittles others. After all, we are called not to judge, only to love.
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you --- who are you to judge your neighbor?”
James 4:11-12 (NIV)
