Haven’t you read...that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female...For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew 19:4-6)
Since 2008's firestorm over California's Proposition 8, an argument in which many lawn-signs were created, and in which many fights (verbal and physical) have broken out, there has been a debate in this country over how marriage should be defined. Some argue that it's not up to government to legislate marriage, that it's a religious matter. Some argue that you can't tell people who they can and cannot marry. And yet others argue that such a measure is an assault on the institution of marriage.
While this is measure isn't on the ballot in California come November 6th, it will be making an appearance in some shape or form in the states of Maryland, Washington, Maine, and Minnesota. Historically, every time this topic shows up for vote via a popular referendum, it has met with defeat. Currently, six states and the district of columbia permit same-sex-marriage (via legislature or court judgments); however this measure has never had success at the hands of the popular vote. Political pundits and polls reveal that this year, for the first time, a referendum on this topic may pass a majority vote. This, would of course have an impact on the entire country. Why? Art.IV sec.1 of the constitution: Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. In other words, if you're married in Maine, it must be recognized in California.
This brings me to a question of: what happens when my faith and society differ on how marriage is defined? While a passing referendum won't change my definition of marriage, it represents a shift in how society views something as fundamental as marriage. Take the case of the state of Maine. This isn't the first time this state is voting on same-sex-marriages. As a matter of fact, voters in Maine rejected the same referendum in 2009. In three years, polls have shown that the opinions of the state has shifted on this topic. In three years!! Society (in the case of Maine) has shifted in it's view on marriage in three years! While society and public opinion changes with the seasons, I think this serves as a reminder that our faith needs to be anchored in what God says:
Haven’t you read...that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female...For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew 19:4-6)
**I do have to point out that it feels very odd for me to post about marriage without discussing love - I sometimes have a hard time putting in words a good definition of love, but I think John Steinbeck puts it quite nicely**
Haven’t you read...that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female...For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew 19:4-6)
**I do have to point out that it feels very odd for me to post about marriage without discussing love - I sometimes have a hard time putting in words a good definition of love, but I think John Steinbeck puts it quite nicely**
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