GAY MARRIAGE
WHY ARE
MOST CHRISTIANS SO OPPOSED?
Why?
The why question is complex because Christians give
different answers. I’ll not wax too philosophical here. But I think it
important to keep in mind that Christians have different beliefs about a lot of
things. Here’s a few common answers to the why
question.
Bible Answers
1. Genesis marriage answer. Most Christians
refer to the creation narratives in the Hebrew Bible. Genesis describes God’s
creation of the first couple—Adam and Eve—a male and a female. And Christians
point out the blessing on sex to fill the earth—some think the purpose of sex
is to have children. And they point out the importance of a male and female to
reproduction. (Example:
Catholic teaching on marriage.) Christians also point out there are no
scriptures affirming same-sex relationships or marriages.
2. Sinful sex answer. Same-sex
activity is explicitly banned in the Bible. Most don’t think about same-sex
couples living together without having sex, although Christian sociologist, Tony
Campolo, once mentioned the idea of celibacy in relationship. Same-sex
activity was unlawful for Jews. And the apostle Paul also wrote about the
sinfulness in a letter to the Romans (Chapter 1: 24-27). Christians vary in how
much weight they give the laws of the ancient Jews but most give a lot of
weight to the writings of the converted Jewish teacher—the Apostle Paul. So,
the Romans text is a key to understanding why many Christians oppose same-sex
marriage. There are other Bible verses Christians cite to show that same-sex activity is sinful.
On a more basic level, many Christians believe what’s in the Bible is
the Word of God. This means that what Moses or Paul wrote is what God wanted
them to write. If God says something is wrong, it is wrong. For many, there is
hell to pay for going against God’s commandments.
See the Southern Baptist statement
about homosexuality condemned by the Bible as sin.
See the LDS instructions to leaders on same-sex marriage dated 10 January 2014.
See the LDS instructions to leaders on same-sex marriage dated 10 January 2014.
Moral answers
I see articles and posts that offer reasons for Christians
to oppose same-sex marriage. The points made illustrate various categories of
moral reasoning, which I take from the research of Jonathan Haidt and his colleagues.
Some categories do not appear in some articles. Some categories have features
that overlap with other categories. An important point to make is that moral
reasons often appear to be motivated by emotional reactions of fear, anger, and
disgust rather than derived from cool and rationale analysis commonly found in
philosophical works on ethics.
3. Same-sex marriage is harmful.
The answers vary but usually focus on harm done to children and the structure
of society. Christians argue that children need a mother and a father rather
than parents of the same-sex. Traditionally, the nuclear family consisted of a
mother, father, and children for thousands of years. Easy divorce was one
factor destroying the family in the 20th Century. Christians now see same-sex
marriages as an additional threat to the importance of family. The emotion of
fear is aroused when people perceive a threat. Benne
and McDermott argue that gay marriage harms the definition of marriage.
4. Same-sex
marriage shows disrespect for authority. One way or another,
Christians refer to the authority of the Bible and the long history of
traditional beliefs about marriage. Obviously, if God is the author of the
biblical texts then no reasonable Christian is going to win an argument against
God. Of course, many reasonable Christians realize Christians often interpret
the texts in different ways. But on matters of marriage, Church tradition has
consistently supported a one man and one woman view of marriage.
Christians also argue based on traditional views of what constitutes
a marriage in history, which does not include same-sex unions. Traditions can
become authoritative when people accept the transmitted values and find additional
reasons to support those long-held values. Arguments based on definitions of marriage reflect
traditional ways societies have viewed marriage. (Example
of argument from tradition.) Psychologically, people are motivated to
support the socially recognized authority of their group, which overlaps with
loyalty concerns. Anger often motivates leaders to enforce obedience and
thereby show respect for authority.
5. Supporting
same-sex marriage becomes an act of disloyalty. Arguments
are not clearly made about matters of loyalty when it comes to same-sex issues
but it is clear that people in religious organizations are required to be loyal
to their policies and to the position papers of their church leaders. Clergy who
are ordained by conservative groups can expect to lose their jobs if they are
disloyal to the official position of their group. Loyalty is a virtue. And
disloyalty is a moral issue. The powerful emotion of anger is stimulated when
people betray their biological or social family. Disloyalty overlaps with
respect for authority when the expectations of loyalty come from people in
authority positions.
6. Same-sex
marriage is linked to degradation. Christians argue that same-sex
activity is unnatural and therefore degrading. The apostle Paul refers to moral
arguments based on that which is natural (See example about hair 1 Corinthians
11:14). Philosophically, this argument appears akin to saying if
something is a certain way then it ought to be that way.
Related to degradation are notions of deviance. Physicians
did identify homosexuality as a disorder a few decades ago. Although this is no
longer the case, Christians aware of the change in diagnosis sometimes argue
that physicians bowed to cultural pressure. (Link to an APA Monitor article
explaining the removal of homosexuality from the diagnostic manual published by
the American Psychiatric Association.)
Psychologically, many people find things disgusting. A
person’s face reacts when people perceive something disgusting. Culture is a
factor but some sights and smells evoke close to universal disgust. For
example, human waste, blood and other bodily fluids evoke disgust. The emotion
of disgust may be fundamental to laws against some forms of sexual behavior.
You can recognize the disgust factor in arguments linked to purity/impurity (Romans
1:24 is often cited regarding purity.), dishonor and degradation.
7. Same-sex
marriage is a choice. The concept of choice is crucial to morality.
How can you hold people responsible if they cannot choose to behave otherwise?
At the root of the choice issue is a belief that sexual attraction is itself a
choice. Educated Christians who use the choice argument point to research that
fails to clearly establish that people are born with a same-sex attraction. The
extended argument moves from the idea that since people are not born attracted
to same-sex partners, then same-sex marriage is also a choice and therefore,
people could choose to marry people of the opposite sex. (APA response to
causes of sexual orientation and the idea of choice.)
8. Same-sex
marriage laws violate freedom of religion and conscience. This
argument focuses on the morality of freedom from oppression. The arguments here
assume that people have certain rights, including freedom of religion and
conscience. Many societies grant religious people the right to practice their
faith in ways that violate the rules that govern many others in society. Some
religious groups are exempted from military service because of their moral
opposition to war. Most societies also set limits on freedom. Obviously, you
cannot do anything you want to do regardless of what your religion says.
Christians use the freedom of religion and conscience argument when they assert
their faith teaches that same-sex marriage is immoral, against scripture, or a
violation of their long-standing tradition of marriage. Psychologically, people
have powerful desires to be free from restraint and are motivated to escape
restrictions. (Example of freedom of religion argument by Djupe
et al. related to same-sex marriage.)
9. Same-sex
marriage is NOT about equality and fairness. This equality argument is
a reversal of an issue presented by those who support same-sex marriage.
Supporters argue that same-sex couples are discriminated against in matters of
employment and government benefits, child custody, and other benefits that come
with being married. Christians opposed to same-sex marriage argue that policies
and laws against same-sex marriage are not unfair because governments and
organizations ought to support that which benefits society. Marriage is a good
thing for couples and their children. Sexual minorities are no more
discriminated against than are single persons. (An
example that same-sex marriage is not about discrimination.)
Psychologically, people are quick to perceive that which is unfair or unjust.
Young children are quick to identify playmates who violate the rules of a game.
Fairness and equality are basic human motivations.
See the next post for reasons Christians give
in support of same-sex marriage.
RELATED POSTS
Marriage Posts
Christian Leaders and Churches Opposing Same-Sex Marriage
Franklin Graham Evangelical leader and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Albert Mohler, President of the U.S. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Evangelical Leaders respond to SCOTUS Ruling
Council of Christian Colleges and Universities
Pew Research Report: Churches that do not support same-sex marriage
American Baptist
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Roman Catholic Church
Southern Baptist Convention
United Methodist Church
See the article for details
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