Wanted to share this article with you by Rev. Eric Lee, which I found to be a very solid piece on marriage equality, published roughly one year after the passage of Proposition 8.
Rev. Lee describes how he has encountered numerous well-intentioned and justice-minded Christians who voted against marriage equality this time last year due to their "Christian conscience." He wonders how anyone with a Christian conscience could discriminate, condemn, and judge people, reiterating that one of Christianity's core beliefs is that only God can judge us. He suggests that the ruling on Prop 8 might have gone the other way had those Christians not voted and instead allowed God to be the judge.
Rev. Lee points out that a good number of those who voted against marriage equality adamantly view marriage as a religious institution, as opposed to a civil one, claiming the Bible portrays traditional marriage as between a man and a woman. He maintains that the Bible typifies traditional marriage as less than monogamous, with men having multiple wives and concubines. Women are essentially portrayed as the property of men. The Bible's portrayal of traditional marriage, he contends, does not dictate the structure of marriage today. He suggests that at the heart of this issue is an individual's right to choose how he lives his or her life.
Rev. Lee reminds us that freedom of choice is a key ingredient of not only our democratic ideals, but also of our Christian faith. He argues citizens of this country should not be denied their constitutional right to freedom and equality, along with their right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. He closes by reminding us that Jesus asked that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves and that this is our chance to obey and let His glory shine.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-eric-lee/marriage-equality-struck_b_341980.html
