Pushing for Same Sex Marriage?

We were at a rally on the weekend, with some of our kids. It was a peaceful protest against the "Safe Schools" program in schools, but I don't think our kids felt very safe among the counter-protesters. Of course, the "Safe Schools" issue is bundled together with the question of "Same Sex Marriage", and changing the definition of marriage in Australian law. Sadly it feels like this decision is trying to be pushed through by wearing people down, guilt-tripping peer pressure, intimidating aggression and/or fear tactics. I hope that is not really representative of the SSM advocates, but then I guess they are copying what they see happen in the main political arena (and what too often is the common modus operandi of how to get things done generally, whether even inside of the church as well as outside).

The question about redefining marriage is an incredibly significant policy decision for our society. It may seem minor to many, but I think it is symbolic of bigger things. And if the basis for our decision-making is change by intimidation, whether by forceful overpowering or emotional manipulation, I don't think it bodes well for a healthy and civil community. Our society has benefited from a Christian heritage that sees humility, respect, compassion and love of all--despite disagreement, even opposition--as virtues. And yes, it is sad that we Christians don't always live up to those standards either, sometimes avoiding healthy conflict, sometimes enabling bad behaviours. But the more we undermine Christianity, and encourage "victory by powerful assertion", the more we can expect real civility to also disappear. It won't be a healthy community. And it won't be a good side of history to be on.

May Jesus help us to live the way he showed us: "So Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.'" (Mark 10:42-45, NLT).

Is homophobia a genetic predisposition?

I was reading this Daily Telegraph article shared by someone on Facebook, and in the tangle of comments this question was one of those posed: "Were you raised to be homophobic or is it a genetic predisposition?" Whatever was intended, this question raises a significant issue. So what if homophobia is a genetic predisposition? One of the main arguments voiced in support of acceptance of homosexuality is the "fact" of genetic predisposition. How can you discriminate against the way someone was born?

But what if homophobia were also a genetic predisposition? What if, in the same way someone is "hard-wired" to be attracted to someone, another person is similarly predisposed to be repulsed by another? Is it legitimate to discriminate against their phobia? And if not, why not? On what basis do we decide what is right or wrong? Is it popular opinion? Or historical precedent? Is it majority current opinion, or majority historical opinion? Or what..?

Of course, this is a little facetious. And I'm not really wanting to comment on whether homosexuality or homophobia is a genetic predisposition. But in seriousness, I think it does highlight a key problem in the whole question. It is not so much the danger of the slippery slope, but more-so the danger of being floating adrift in a sea of moral uncertainty, blown about by every new wind, and perhaps with the only certainty being that one day we will sink beneath the waves completely.

As a Christian, I know that God has spoken into his world, to give us an anchor, and solid ground. While so many may opine that it is ridiculous and antiquated, even bigoted, to hold to the Bible as the Word of God, just because that is their opinion, it doesn't make them right.