From the Pastor’s Desk: Equal Rights for Homosexuals
Recent decisions in Iowa and Vermont, coupled with the approval of Proposition 8 in California, have brought again to the fore the issue of homosexual “rights”, including the right to marry.
Now, let me say right up front that I believe in equal rights for homosexuals. Of course, I also believe in equal rights for thieves, bank robbers, murderers, drunk drivers, swindlers, and child molesters. In other words, I believe that since homosexuality is fundamentally reflective of deviant behavior, it should be treated as such. And, just like all deviant or criminal behavior, a person accused of sodomy should have the right of due process, including his day in court, the right to cross-examine witnesses, the right to counsel, the right of appeal, etc. Yes, sir, don’t let anyone say that Reformed Presbyterians are opposed to equal rights for homosexuals.
Similarly, we believe that those inclined toward homosexuality should enjoy the right to marry—as long as they marry within the parameters set by God. Therefore, we do not object to such people marrying—so long as they marry someone of the opposite gender.
You see, the contemporary advocacy of the right of homosexuals to marry—in the sense of same-sex marriage—involves a contradiction in terms. Marriage, by definition, is between two persons of opposite sex. As one wag has put it, In the Garden of Eden, it was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. This is the way that God Almighty designed marriage to be. And the homosexual movement represents a perversion of God’s intention for mankind, and is, indeed, a direct and deliberate attack on the Creator in whose image man is made.
Those who advocate the homosexual cause contend that homosexuality is not a choice, but rather is just the way some people were born. In response, we would not want to take a simplistic view of the nature of homosexuality. Man is born in sin, his corrupt nature being one aspect of original sin. And just as some people are more inclined toward drunkenness or stealing than are others, so some people may be more inclined toward the sin of homosexuality than are others. However, in none of those three cases—drunkenness, theft, or the practice of homosexuality—should there be any toleration. God’s Law is clear: the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” covers all types of sexual deviance, including adultery, fornication, unlawful divorce, incest, polygamy, and homosexuality.
However, besides advocating equal rights for homosexuals, we have even better news—God’s grace is able to provide forgiveness for all types of sinners, including those who practice homosexuality. God is not only a God of justice, who wants equal justice for everyone. He is most especially and most wonderfully a God of grace. In the ultimate sense, all of us deserve equal justice before God’s law—which means that we all deserve eternal death because of our rebellion against Him. But Jesus Christ has died on the cross to take the punishment of all kinds of sin—including homosexuality. And that’s very good news, indeed, for those struggling with this enslaving practice.
Cordially,
Pastor Frank J. Smith