I copied this from my Facebook post, but wanted it here for posterity.
There
seems to be quite a bit of animosity about the Marriage Amendment vote.
As an Christian American that is sad for several reasons.
1. I
am sad that there are those who are improperly characterizing the
church as being hateful, ignorant, closed minded, too political,
homophobic, etc. Please realize that it was individuals who voted, not
the church. Christians have the right to voice their views and vote just
as much as any other citizen of this country. It should be no surprise
that most Christians came out in favor of marriage as being between a
man and a woman. This does not make Christians hateful, closed minded,
too political, or homophobic. Are there some hateful, closed minded, too
political, homophobic Christians? Probably so, but there is no need to
characterize the church in this light when the church as a whole has not
changed its position on these issues since long before there even was a
USA or NC.
2. I am sad that there are accusations that pastors
are being too political for even speaking about the issue of marriage.
Again, that is what pastors do. We speak about issues related to God's
Word. Marriage was instituted by God between the first man and first
woman. Again, that hasn't changed. Regardless of how this vote turned
out, the final Word was spoken on this issue long ago. As a pastor I
spoke on marriage many times before this amendment, and I will speak on
it many more times in the future, as the Lord allows. My position will
not change as long as the Bible I preach does not change, regardless of
what this state or the federal government choose to do. This amendment
may one day be repealed, but God's Word will stand forever.
3. I
am sad that although we live in a democratic society, people still act
badly when it doesn't go their way. I served my country on active duty
to preserve every citizens right to cast their vote. The vote was 61%
for and 39% against. At this point in time that seems to be a clear
majority. Since we still live in a democracy, we need to all move
forward with the result graciously and not with either gloating or
anger. In case anyone hasn't noticed, moral conservatives have endured
their fair share of defeats in the public square over the past 60 years.
It goes without saying, that the real driving forces behind the
opposition to this amendment will not simply accept this. They will
continue the fight in some other venue. I am perfectly fine with that.
In the meantime my fight for the good news of Jesus Christ. I will love
EVERYONE who voted for or against this amendment. I will minister to
them, share Christ with them, pray for them, and help them to know the
joy and peace of God in any way possible.
4. I am sad that
there is such broad misunderstanding about the relationship of the
church and state. For those who think the separation clause of the
Constitution means that the church cannot speak to the governing of our
society, please go back and re-read the Constitution. It does NOT say
the church cannot speak to government. It does say that the government
cannot establish a religion. In other words, the church can influence
how the government is to run, but the government cannot influence how
the church is to run. "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion..."
5. Finally, I am sad that there
may be negative consequences as a result of all this. What will be the
long term result of this decision? There are a couple issues to
consider.
Has this hurt the witness of the church? Probably in some
ways, but the day the church stops speaking to the issues of our day is
the day the church will no longer be the professing and confessing
church instructed to "observe all things that I [Jesus] COMMANDED
(emphasis mine) you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the age.
Will this affects benefits to partners, children, etc.
under the laws of NC? I have no idea, for I am not a lawyer, judge, or
politician. I do hope, however, that some common sense will rule and
that no child or any other person would be harmed.
