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On June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), in a 5-to-4
decision, ruled that the Constitution's 14th amendment guarantees the right of
same-sex couples to marry, with the same rights and responsibilities as in a
marriage between a man and a woman. In effect, such unions are now legal
everywhere in the United States, and the word "marriage" is redefined
to include same-sex couples.Because the current decision from the high court sets a new legal norm, church groups and pastors must now decide how they will respond going forward. Those Christians and leaders who oppose same-sex marriage will need to decide the tone and manner in which they will continue that opposition. Those Christians and leaders who support same-sex marriage will need to decide how the new norm will be expressed within the framework of their polity and congregations, and how they will deal with members and pastors within their group who personally oppose same-sex marriage.
In writing the court's majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy included the following, which seems to give church groups that oppose same-sex marriage some wiggle room:
Finally, it must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.
In light of that, the SCOTUS ruling seems to mandate only civil marriage and to not dictate what churches and other religious groups must or must not do. In writing his dissent, however, Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the majority opinion did not grant a religious exemption per se:
Respect for sincere religious conviction has led voters and legislators in every State that has adopted same-sex marriage democratically to include accommodations for religious practice. The majority's decision imposing same-sex marriage cannot, of course, create any such accommodations. The majority graciously suggests that religious believers may continue to "advocate" and "teach" their views of marriage. The First Amendment guarantees, however, the freedom to "exercise" religion. Ominously, that is not a word the majority uses.
For their part, many evangelical Christian leaders who oppose same-sex marriage have signed a joint statement organized by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. It asserts that this is not a time for outrage or panic, as those "are not the responses of those confident in the promises of a reigning Christ Jesus."
The statement goes on to say, "While we believe the Supreme Court has erred in its ruling, we pledge to stand steadfastly, faithfully witnessing to the biblical teaching that marriage is the chief cornerstone of society, designed to unite men, women, and children."
Another group, the National Association of Evangelicals, says it regrets the court's ruling but "calls on evangelicals to be gracious and compassionate to those who do not share their views on marriage and to also advocate for liberty for all who desire to live out their faith."
The president of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, a theologically conservative denomination, stated on the denomination's website that as a result of the court decision, "Christians will now begin to learn what it means to be in a state of solemn conscientious objection against the state. We will resist its imposition of falsehood upon us, even as we continue to reach out to those who continue to be harmed by the ethic of radical sexual freedom, detached from God's blessing of marriage. And we will stand shoulder to shoulder with Christians, churches and people of good will who are resolute on this issue. God help us."
In contrast, within several denominations, there are congregations that in recent years have declared themselves as "affirming" (or something similar), by which they mean they welcome the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) persons in the church's life and ministry. For those congregations, the primary response to the high court's decision was celebration.
Most Christian groups that support the court's ruling have thus far not issued unified statements -- at least none The Wired Word could find. This may be because there are few Christian groups that unanimously support same-sex marriage. Even denominations that now accept practicing homosexuals into their ministry and who permit their clergy to perform same-sex weddings generally include some members and clergy who support only traditional one-man-one-woman marriage. Within these groups, internal communications have advised members to be respectful of each other's views.
This statement from a letter from the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a mainline denomination, to all its pastors and churches is typical: "For many members ..., this [Supreme Court] decision is a welcome sign of hope and a time for celebration. Other members of this church do not agree with the court's decision and remain deeply concerned because of their understanding of Scripture. This decision affects each of us, some profoundly, and we are not of one mind. Let us continue to accompany one another with prayer, love and mutual respect as we reflect on this new reality and remember Paul's words in 1 Corinthians about the enduring power of God's love."
More on this story can be found at these links:
Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide. New York Times
What Would Jesus Say About Same-Sex Marriage? Los Angeles Times
'Outrage and Panic' Are Off-Limits, Say Evangelical Leaders on Same-Sex Marriage. Christianity Today
Court's Marriage Ruling Creates Uncertainty for Churches, Clergy. Church Law & Tax
Meet the Evangelicals Who Cheered the SCOTUS Gay Marriage Ruling. Huffington Post
Tears of Joy, Tears of Sorrow, and Little Empathetic Listening. Religion News Service
Why Four Justices Were Against the Supreme Court's Huge Gay-Marriage Decision. National Journal
The Big Questions
1. In what way, if any, does the fact that marriage equality is now the law of the land affect your personal decision about it? What helped you arrive at your decision? Is it possible to accept same-sex marriage as a civil right but deny it as a church-blessed right?
2. Who should decide if pastors will officiate at same-sex weddings? The pastor's denomination? The local congregation? The pastor? Federal law? Explain your reasoning.
3. As a Christian, what ought to be the tone of any disagreement over this issue you have with other Christians? with non-Christians?
4. In what ways ought the SCOTUS majority decision on this matter affect your witness about Christ and the life to which he calls us?
5. Is the church stronger when it is defined by what it stands against or by what it stands for? Why? Is there a time for each? How do we know?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (No context necessary.)
Regardless of which side of the same-sex marriage issue we are on, we are called by Christ to be light to the world.
Questions: How, specifically, can we be light to the world regarding this new ruling that puts same-sex marriage on equal footing with opposite-sex marriage? What should that light reveal?
Matthew 16:6
Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (For context, read 16:1-12.)
Luke 13:20-21
To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. (For context, read 13:18-21.)
We have paired these two passages because both use "yeast" in a metaphorical sense to mean "influence." Jesus spoke the words of the Matthew verse right after some Pharisees and Sadducees tried to put him on the spot and discredit his teachings. Thus, although both groups were religious parties, from the perspective of Christ's teachings, they were cultural forces arrayed against those teachings. In subsequent conversation with his disciples, Jesus warned them about the influence of these cultural forces.
In the Luke passage, Jesus compares the influence of the kingdom of God to the effect that yeast has on bread dough and how it permeates the whole loaf.
Combined, these two passages remind us that the world is subject to all kinds of influence, and that Christians, those already holding citizenship in the kingdom of God, should be exerting their influence on the course of society as well.
Question: Some Christians have used their influence in support of what they see as "marriage equality." Some Christians have used their influence to support the "historic definition" of marriage and oppose its legal redefinition. Now that same-sex marriage is legal everywhere in the United States, how ought our influence be used?
2 Corinthians 3:3
... you show that you are a letter of Christ, ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (For context, read 3:1-3.)
Many Christians who labored or lobbied in support of or in opposition to same-sex marriage felt they were being true to God's intentions as revealed in scripture or in subsequent revelation. While they probably didn't think of themselves as "a letter of Christ," that analogy, used by Paul in the verse above, is Christian vocabulary to describe how one reflects the spirit of Christ in one's life.
Questions: Why can't Christians all agree on how the Bible should be used to guide our lives? Can Christians be a letter of Christ to the world even while disagreeing with one another on specifics of Christian practice?
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (For context, read 16:13-24.)
These words are among Paul's closing remarks in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians. His comments are not directly tied to a specific discussion in the letter. They are more on the order of the kinds of encouraging remarks friends give to one another when parting -- remarks such as "Keep the faith," "Don't give up," "Stay strong" or "Keep a stiff upper lip." That they are parting comments does not mean they are unimportant, however. Actually, such statements are often shorthand versions of principles the speaker sincerely believes. And in this case, Paul certainly meant every word he spoke.
Paul reminds followers of Jesus to stand firm, but at the same time, he says, "Let all that you do be done in love."
Question: How ought these words from Paul apply as we consider this SCOTUS decision?
For Further Discussion
1. What was your first reaction to hearing about the SCOTUS decision? Has your reaction been modified in any way by all you have heard since? If so, how?
2. Does the spirit (lowercase "s") of scripture ever conflict with the letter of scripture? If so, how do we know which one to respond to?
3. Can something be good for society without being good from a Christian perspective? Can something be bad for society without being bad from a Christian perspective? Explain.
4. Does your denomination or congregation have an official position or policy regarding qualifications for marriage?
Responding to the News
Read and discuss this young woman's essay on her thoughts as a child in light of her future development and advocacy as a lesbian. How would you like to see your church respond to children such as those she mentions?
Closing Prayer
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