Marriage

This week's Bible reflection (Whoa) has a little bit of heat to it.  And it's just the beginning part of Sunday's "Yep -- goin' there" sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Marriage" text
"Marriage" podcast

Vermont

The Vermont legislature today overrode Governor Jim Douglas' veto of same-sex marriage legislation. Vermont, the first US state to offer civil unions to same sex couples (in 2000) becomes the fourth state to legalize same sex marriage. It is the first to do so in the legislature.


Last week I wrote about the Iowa supreme court's unanimous ruling on same sex marriage. As with that one and with other rulings relating to marriage equality, this legalization of same sex marriage in Vermont is being met with praise and with scorn.

I’m thrilled at today’s news from Vermont. I also know that there are folks who disagree with me.

I came across the website for a relatively new movement. It’s called The Civility Project. Here’s what the project is about:

We are a collection of liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, and people of various faith—or no faith— who agree that even
in sharp disagreement we should not be disagreeable.

Here’s the civility pledge:

• I will be civil in my public discourse and behavior.
• I will be respectful of others whether or not I agree with them.
• I will stand against incivility when I see it.

I pray that the continuing conversation relating to marriage equality will be follow this pledge of civility and that it will remain one rooted in love and respect for all.

Iowa

Iowa's Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling today - one that rules that  the Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution.

As with other rulings relating to marriage equality, this one has many celebrating and other protesting.  

Rich Pleva, the United Church of Christ Iowa Conference minister, has this to say:

“Words can hardly express how delighted and relieved I am for same sex couples in Iowa - more than a few of whom are my friends - for whom the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling is a gift. I'm also aware that the people and churches of the Iowa Conference are not of one mind on this issue. This is a time to underscore and affirm our covenant to being of one heart and one body, even at times when we may not agree.” (read the entire press release from the UCC)

I celebrate today's ruling in Iowa.  And I pray that the conversation relating to marriage equality can remain one rooted in love and respect for all.

I'm wearing a white knot today

Because I support marriage equality.

Why?  Because all people deserve the same rights, responsibilities and privileges. The right to be in love with someone and to share your life with them and to have the security of that relationship can't be reserved only for folks who fit one particular sexual orientation.

I know that same-sex marriage is a hot-button, wedge issue. And folks who are commited to following Jesus have disagreements about what the Bible says to and about today's LBGT folks. I think that the Bible passages that have been used to support the exclusion of LBGT folk from church leadership, adoption, marriage etc. are interpreted wrongly to do that. Others disagree with my opinion. 

When we come to valid and significant scriptural disagreements about these issues, I think we have to measure actions by the overall message of the Bible and by what Jesus identifies as the two most important (and inseperable) rules:

Overall message:  God creates -- we mess up -- God reconciles -- we mess up . . . . 

God is about reconciling -- building relationship -- we are the ones who seem to always tear things down - and God responds with more reconcilitation.

The two big rules:  Love God.  Love Everyone.   

The church's actions as it relates to LBGT folk must be in step with the message and with the rules. 

I believe everyone should have the right to tie the knot.

Prop 8 - The Musical

21 years

August 1, 1987 -- Cassie and I got married.
August 1, 2008 -- Anniversary 21! Apparently our marriage has reached the legal age for drinking.
I bought us a bottle of wine to drink later today.
Later we might watch that Kevin Spacey Movie
This would probably be the right anniversary to celebrate in Vegas, but we're in Illinois
Maybe dinner tonight can be at a local casino?
I'm more in love with my wife today than I have ever been -- but a little less than I will be tomorrow.

Connecticut

Connecticut approved a law that gives same-sex couples the right to enter into civil unions -- avoiding the dreaded word of 'marriage' while giving same-sex couples the rights associated with marriage.

Same-sex marriage opponents are upset because they think that the sanctity of marriage is still being threatened.

Same sex marriage supporters are upset because they think that nothing short of marriage will bring equality.

News flashes from me:

The sanctity of marriage is destroyed by divorce -- not same sex couples. Connecticut has the second-lowest divorce rates in the nation. (Arkansas and Kentucky have the 2nd and 3rd highest rates)

Same sex couples can get married in any state in the union. They can't have a civil marriage, but there are churches that will perform marriage ceremonies that do not create a legal marriage. A couple that wants to have a religious ceremony can do that.

So in Connecticut --same sex couples can enter into a civil union and also go to a church for a wedding.