Homosexual Marriage—Golden Rule for Marriage?

According to President Obama, his view of marriage has “evolved” since his election. He now supports homosexual marriage. While this may not surprise those who have followed his metamorphosis, his reasoning may:

[Michelle and I are] both practicing Christians. . . . But, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know? Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

In 2008, President Obama said “God’s in the mix” for defining marriage, which at that time he asserted was strictly between a man and a woman. But he now says the Golden Rule (the concept Christ taught in Matthew 7:12) compels him to endorse so-called gay marriage.

However, that sort of thinking twists Scripture. When Jesus gave the Golden Rule, He said it sums up the Old Testament’s teachings. That would include both the creation of marriage between a man and a woman in Genesis 2:18–25 (which Jesus affirmed in Mark 10) and God’s decree against homosexual behavior in Leviticus 18:22.

When given a chance to weigh in on the issue, American voters continue to affirm a position consistent with God’s Word. In all 32 states where same-sex marriage has been put to the voters, they have rejected it. Most recently, North Carolina voted 60%–40% to affirm biblical marriage in the state constitution. Every state that has allowed same-sex marriage has ignored voters and gone through the courts or legislatures.

While treating others as we want to be treated is at the foundation of Christianity, it does not allow us to rewrite Scripture. Jesus guaranteed that Scripture would never change (Matthew 24:35)—even if politicians’ views do.

Changes on November Ballot . . .

Maine

Overturn the ban on same-sex marriage.

Maryland

Overturn a law that allows same-sex marriage.

Minnesota

Add a constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman.

Washington

Overturn a law that allows same-sex marriage.

Other Changes Possible . . .

California

The Ninth Circuit court declared Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage, unconstitutional. The decision will probably be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.