comingouttothechurch:

Gay Evangelical: An open letter to gay marriage supporters: I’m against marriage equality because I love you

gayevangelical:

Up until now I haven’t penned a post in support of traditional marriage because I wanted to get my foot in the door that I am a very compassionate and loving Evangelical (you know that Generation Y kind Evangelical). And it’s because I love and care about each and every person who feels…

I understand your desire to first become known as a compassionate and loving Evangelical before revealing your support of traditional marriage.  So let’s break this down.  Forgive me for keeping it real.

“Yes I’m gay, but in a way I’m different and separated from the rest of you)”

This is not the right mentality.  You are not different, but your position is different.  We are all wrecks in need of Jesus.  We are all moving toward the same goal—knowing Jesus fully and making him known.  How we go about it is different, and that’s okay.

You say, “There is a better way.”  Really?  You can defend beyond a shadow of a doubt that you know the best way?  What makes you so privileged to know something that tens of thousands of people before you don’t know?  What makes you so brilliant to understand something that PhDs are still arguing over?

It’s okay for you to be convinced there is a better way.  But there are just as many people on the other side of this argument saying, “Look, there is a better way.”

Here’s the difference.  You are imposing your beliefs on others by preventing gay marriage.  You’re saying it’s not good for society.  But here’s the deal.  You have the burden of proof.  You have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that gay marriage is bad for society.  Why?  Because you are imposing your beliefs on a growing number of people who academically, religiously, politically disagree with you.

This is not about the kids.  Because peer-reviewed research shows that children raised by same-sex parents are just as well-adapted and supported as those raised in traditional homes.  The better part?  Nearly all of same-sex parents plan for families.  That can’t be said of the millions of unwanted pregnancies within and outside of wedlock.

People are not hurt and angry because they cannot marry.  They’re alone.

People are hurt by the church and angry about ignorance.

It is not the Church we must turn to for salvation.  The Church is a FLAWED BRIDE.  The Church has not ever saved and is not capable of saving.  Christ saves, and that is the message of his Church.  So let us turn to Christ, and he will direct us!  Let us allow the Spirit to move over the next decade as we listen patiently about gay marriage.  Because you are not smart enough to provide the answer.

I totally understand why you hold your position.  I do.  I get it.

But don’t you think it’s possible that your sexual abuse, ex-gay experience, rejection from family… all contribute to you wanting, no, needing, to be anti-equality?  Better be loved and accepted than hated by those who you need the most, even if it means denying self.

This is FAR from a juvenile demand.  In fact, it’s SO NOT a juvenile demand, it’s ridiculous.  American Heroes have done so much for this country, and you’re willing to tell them to their faces, “It’s cool what you did and all, and I know that you’ve been living in a stable home with your partner for 30 years and been paying taxes and being civically responsible, but even though your partner just died, you don’t deserve federal benefits.”

This is about a real need.  There are people OUTSIDE of our faith who deserve equality, even if it means the Church gets its hand slapped and doesn’t get its way.

Largely, the Church and its Christians are NOT waiting for open arms.  Or, those open arms are disguised.  They are ready to use words and gestures that show “We. don’t. understand. you.”

The number of people who experience a full change of orientation is SO LOW that its statistically unlikely to exist, indicating that any significant orientation change is impossible.

Salvation is available for all.  God’s love and freedom is ours for the taking.  But not when it’s clothed in this type of hatred.  They will always reject it.  Good for them.  Because Christ did not bring a salvation with a caveat included hatred.

So, all of that to say, if you really want to hold this opinion, you have the burden of proof.  I look forward to seeing you prove how gay marriage is harmful to the American society.

this is a wonderful response.