Redefining Marriage?

image obtained from http://egnorance.blogspot.com/

My State is on the brink of joining the few and the proud that have legalized same-sex marriage. Our Governor – Christine Gregoire – called for nothing less than the abolition of “discrimination,” “inequality,” and “injustice.” This is interesting, however, since the very crux of her argumentation rests on objective moral absolutes – absolutes that she cannot defend. (For a more thorough address of the issue of the “right” regarding same-sex marriage legalization, please read my article, “An historic night for love and our families?” And for a treatment of a philosophical understanding of right and wrong, see my “Normalizing the Inconceivable: A Philosophical Problem?”)

I am in wholehearted agreement with our Governor that we should fight to abolish discrimination, inequality, and injustice. However, the issue of same-sex marriage is not one of discrimination, but destruction of the good, the true, and the beautiful – which God has instituted and governs. It is not an issue of inequality, but moral irresponsibility. It is not an issue of injustice, but immoral importunity.

Unfortunately, those who believe that there is a God Who has instituted marriage for our good and for His glory – and that this institution does not make same-sex marriage viable – are pegged as bigots and medieval barbarians who are heinous at base, and unloving. (I have actually been charged with similar accusation.) Sadly, we live in an age where the clear and unapologetic proclamation of the moral absolutes given by the absolutely sovereign, supreme, and magnificent God is scoffed at, diminished, and attacked. And the arguments of such accusers are brilliantly cloaked in claims of love, equality, and justice. It is that subtle twisting of the truth that has always led down the slope of slavery to sin.

I implore those who are able to see past the smokescreen raised by those who would “redefine marriage” in the State of Washington to write to or call their Representatives, Senators, and Governor. All the information you need is at the Family Policy Institute of Washington. Below is my letter to the Governor, my Senator, and Representatives:

Dear Senator:

I have become aware of an effort in the legislature to redefine marriage for the entire State, and that this proposal is close to being passed. Many of the objections I have heard to maintaining marriage as between one man and one woman regards the equality of benefits for those who elect to bind themselves to each other. My understanding is that such benefits are available to those who opt out of marriage or are homosexual via legal domestic partnership, and that only 0.26% of the State has even taken steps to form a domestic partnership (whether hetero- or homosexual).

In light of the very serious budget and employment issues that Washington is facing, I do not understand the decision to make a very divisive social issue like this the focus of the legislative session. Once those problems are fixed, it might make more sense to deal with an issue affecting a very, very small percentage of the State. Same-sex couples have all the same rights and benefits of married couples, so it cannot be said that they do not have equal rights.

I know that you, as our elected leader, want to do what is best for Washington, and are not interested in veering off-course. Unfortunately, I cannot see how the issue of redefining marriage is anything but the personal agenda of a few taking center stage for the whole, when an issue of injustice is not involved.

It makes sense to me that some consider the fact that same-sex marriages cannot be formed to be an issue of injustice. However, the burden of proof lies with those persons to demonstrate that the institution of marriage is something that can actually accommodate same-sex unions. As this is not an objectively sustainable sentiment, it must necessarily turn the direction is has, in redefining marriage altogether. This is a grave mistake, the ramifications of which will be untold, rippling far and wide for years to come. As a therapist and a pastor, I assure you that the redefinition of marriage is an illegitimate option, and I beg of you not to do this thing.

Whatever we say, marriage is a moral matter, which is why redefinition is being pursued as the “right” thing to do (a moral distinction). Where – the question is raised – do we come by our conception of the “right?” We cannot claim that it is objective unless we are willing to concede that there is One Who is altogether other than us, in reference to Whom we understand what is “right.” As famous law professor, Arthur Allen Leff, pointed out in his “Unspeakable Ethics, Unnatural Law,” only an unjudged Judge… an uncreated Creator… an unruled Lawgiver – in other words, God – could be the basis for such moral knowledge (from which proponents of this legislation are claiming to act). [The funny thing is, Leff came to this conclusion as an atheist!] And if we are unwilling to acknowledge such a One (God), then we are left with little more than our subjective opinions, both private and public, which historically change over time. And when we travel the road of legislating our opinions, the scary conclusion at which we arrive is that the majority opinion – whatever its value or lack of value, goodness or evil (whatever those mean apart from God) – takes the day. In other words, might makes right.

Please take the high-road and save our already fragile State from having to spend the entire year dealing with this debate. Please act honorably and refuse to redefine what cannot be redefined, since marriage has been given to us as a gift that cannot be tampered with, whatever our legislation may be.

Please – I beg of you – do not redefine marriage.

Thank you for the work that you do for our State and its citizens.

Blessings on you,

Rick Witmer

I think that the way I concluded my last article on same-sex marriage is the most fitting way to conclude this post as well:

Homosexuality is not the “sin of sins,” as some people would make it out to be. It is not the unpardonable sin that is too great for God to forgive. It is a lifestyle choice – along with lifestyles of idolatry, thievery, greed, drunkenness, etc. – that is a symptom of the universal reality that the perfect and holy Creator God cannot be bound in unity with unholy rebel-sinners. God created all people, and therefore has exclusive right of rulership over all people, regardless of whether they swear allegiance to Him or not (Psalm 24.1-2). He has declared what is right, and no amount of pandering around with arguments of false fairness or equality will change that. We are all under the condemnation of the wrath of God that we deserve, and the only way that a person has ever been reconciled to Him is through the perfect life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. All those who cling to Him in faith (believing that He and He alone paid the penalty that we deserve) and repentance (renouncing a life of rebellion toward God) are granted life! And the nature of such life is this:

“Whoever says he abides in [Jesus] ought to walk in the same way in which He walked…. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 2.6, 3.9-10, ESV)

It is an impossibility for a person to live in a willful state of rebellion to the things of God (which homosexuality unqualifiedly is) and be in Christ. However, for those who would cling to Him in faith, there is hope of a truly abundant life!

It is God Who promises His Holy Spirit’s help to overcome the natural depravity from which we each suffer, should we humbly and joyfully take Jesus Christ as our Master and Treasure, in true faith and repentance. Every sinner who turns to Him, no matter the nature of the sins from which they need deliverance unto true, obedient worship of their Savior, will find His promised forgiveness and help. Let this be the victory of the day in the homosexual and political community of New York State and abroad. Let this be the deliverance that is granted to a President that actively seeks to destroy that which has been sacred from the foundations of the world. And let this be the repentance that is experienced by those who profess to believe the Bible and yet find no problem legalizing that for which their professed Savior was crucified.

May we ever pursue the good, the true, and the beautiful, which has its bearing in Christ, and Christ alone!