The document discusses the author's considerations around whether Christians should support allowing same-sex marriage legally. The author believes the Bible does not clearly address whether Christians with lawmaking power should enforce biblical doctrine on others. They are also influenced by their secular perspective supporting separation of church and state. While there are good arguments on both sides, the author leans towards supporting same-sex marriage legally unless presented with convincing reasons not to, as they do not think it will directly affect others' rights or church-state relations.
Original Description:
A discussion of potential reasons that Australia should legalize same sex marriage
The document discusses the author's considerations around whether Christians should support allowing same-sex marriage legally. The author believes the Bible does not clearly address whether Christians with lawmaking power should enforce biblical doctrine on others. They are also influenced by their secular perspective supporting separation of church and state. While there are good arguments on both sides, the author leans towards supporting same-sex marriage legally unless presented with convincing reasons not to, as they do not think it will directly affect others' rights or church-state relations.
The document discusses the author's considerations around whether Christians should support allowing same-sex marriage legally. The author believes the Bible does not clearly address whether Christians with lawmaking power should enforce biblical doctrine on others. They are also influenced by their secular perspective supporting separation of church and state. While there are good arguments on both sides, the author leans towards supporting same-sex marriage legally unless presented with convincing reasons not to, as they do not think it will directly affect others' rights or church-state relations.
Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?
In order for me to indicate no to the question, I need to be satisfied both that: 1. Biblical marriage is between a woman and a man; and 2. Christians should seek to oppose any change that moves the legal definition of marriage further away from the biblical definition marriage. In order for me to indicate yes to the question, I need to be satisfied either that: 1. Biblical marriage extends to same-sex couples; or 2. Christians should not seek to restrict the legal definition of marriage. Whilst it must be noted that there are some things for me to consider about the first point, I have not found any compelling reason to abandon the traditional Christian teaching regarding same-sex relationships. Hence, my decision hinges on the second point about whether Christians should seek to enforce the biblical standards on marriage through legislation. I believe it is very hard for me as a Christian to determine what to do when I have law-making power as I do not feel there is a clear biblical example. In the Old Testament, the church and state were melded together as the single entity of Israel, which I believe is a far cry from the separate institutions of church and state that we have today. In the New Testament, Jesus and the early church were persecuted by the Jewish leaders and the Roman state. It would seem that forcing our doctrine onto others would run counterintuitive to the notion that our love and obedience of Jesus is a choice that we, at least at some point, have had some part in making. I do not believe that a change in the definition of legal marriage will directly affect the rights of others; hence, I feel opposition to same-sex marriage does not fall into the same church-state relations category as ending slavery or helping asylum seekers. Also, I am ambivalent about whether biblical marriage was intended for broader society. My predisposition from a secular mindset is to support a strict separation of church and state. Politically, my foundational philosophy in social matters rests upon classical liberal values concerning the freedom of individuals. The interference of the church in state matters seems to be unreasonable from my secular perspective. This is not an overriding factor, but does contribute to the same line of thinking I have detailed above. Ultimately, I feel the Bible is largely silent on the matter of what Christians should do when they have law-making power. I also believe that the freedom God endows us with in order to choose or reject him seems to suggest that we shouldnt enforce biblical doctrine onto others. Additionally, my own secular viewpoint supports non-interference from the church in matters such as marriage. Hence, unless I am presented with convincing reasons to the contrary, I believe I will be indicating yes to the question on the survey. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS I feel that biblical and legal marriage are already very separate institutions. Biblical marriage involves a woman and a man under God selflessly giving themselves to each other. In this day and age, legal marriage very much seems to be a contractoften entered into without any thought of Godthat recognises an already-existent coupling. By permitting legal marriage to be extended to same-sex couples, I think the distinction between biblical and legal marriage may perhaps become clearer to all. However, I can also see that trying to keep legal marriage close to biblical marriage may possibly be beneficial to society as biblical marriage is Gods intended union for couples. I am wary of denying a number of congregations in the Uniting Church the ability to legally solemnise same-sex marriages. These congregations believe that same-sex marriage fits within the biblical definition of marriage. However, looking from the other side, it is already possible for these congregations to solemnise same-sex unions as marriages under their own religious definition, it is just not a legal marriage. For this present generation of young people, the fight for LGBTIQ+ rights seems to be of a similar importance as previous generations fight for the rights of non-whites, slaves, and women. It is my fear that we may end up losing an entire generation if we fail to approach the issue of same-sex marriage in the correct manner. Hence, I feel we should examine how we convey the biblical teachings on marriage and sexuality and also consider whether or not the biblical teachings on marriage and sexuality are intended for non-Christians as well as Christians. However, it must be noted that I do not think we should change our doctrine or silence ourselves just because a group in society disagrees with the position of the Bible on a certain issue. I also believe it is possible for people to come to know God even if they begin their journey opposed to Christianity. It would appear that the next federal Labor government will change the legal definition of marriage to incorporate same-sex couples. It would also seem that a federal Labor government will likely be returned at the next election or at one very soon thereafter. Hence, I suspect changing the legal definition of marriage under a more conservative Liberal government will see additional protections for churches that would not be under Labors legislation. I think it may be in Christians best interests to approve same-sex marriage now whilst many protections are on the table. This consideration is not entirely convincing, however, as I believe God can intervene in any situation if He so desires. The ABC recently reported that several people who had received additional surveys in the mail intended for past occupants or deceased persons were returning those surveys with a yes vote, despite sometimes not knowing the wishes of the addressee. This makes me feel as if I should indicate no on the survey so as to counteract these fraudulent activities. However, I suspect that there are likely similar cases occurring for the other side also, meaning that I may well be punishing one campaign and not the other.