I try my best not to post on political or social issues. I
do this because most of the time, sensationalism surrounds the stories and
honestly makes mountains out of proverbial mole-hills, or affect me or my
brethren on a spiritual level in no way. We know that sensationalism is the media’s main
tool, what keeps people tuning in to the next outrage or another. It’ a vicious
cycle that keeps some raving lunatics, on both the loony left and the ravening
right in business, and make gathering the truth harder for those unable or
unwilling to dig a little further. But laziness and fanaticism seem to be
conspiring siblings, so there is no surprise there. It’s why I stopped
listening to talk radio and watching sensationalist programmes a long time ago.
It makes my honest attempt to express outrage or ascent to an issue into a
show, and does not foster debate or even resolution or compromise. In short, it
is mostly poisonous.
But the events of today’s ruling (26 June, 2015 A.D.) by the
Supreme Court of the US have gotten a lot of heads shaking and tongues shouting
bloody murder to victory. Some, in this modern age cannot comprehend why there
is such an outrage about same sex marriage in an age when all seems to be about
unity and acceptance. And, in the modern mind, is not acceptance of same sex
couples as much as the union of man and woman a part of complete unity? Isn’t
it logical for gay and lesbian couples to be given rights under the law to
enter into civil marriage who they want, when they want, and not have bigots
stop them from their pursuit of happiness?
In my mind it comes down to what you are talking about. “Marriage”
is a loaded term, if you ask me, as it is a short form of “Matrimony” or “Mother
Making”, which is a view and practice of the religious mind. Traditionally, this was the exclusive blessing
of a family union to be, wherein man and wife made children, and so fulfilled
the “mother making” part of the blessing. Since it had to do with religion in
community, the whole family or village participated in this, bearing witness,
and praying to God that the union be fruitful, strong, and healthy, and that
the children be strong and healthy, carrying on the work of the next
generation. Marriage, therefore, serves only Man and Wife.
This is not to suggest that children were a given in a
marriage (as some were unable to fulfill this, and others unwilling). But the
union itself was blessed because that was the natural, God-given function of a
marriage, and the reason why such unions were blessed in the first case. It was
not simply for people legally able to have sex. That was never a consideration.
That people remained virgins till marriage was an act of religious piety, and showing
full commitment to the person whom they were united with. That is not to say
that those who had sex before marriage were denied the sacrament. But it was,
and is, seen by religious persons as the blessing of the Almighty for both the
bearing and raising of children, as well as blessing the love of the couple to
not only strengthen their love, but to endure the challenges ahead.
Marriage, being a religious rite, cannot be performed or
blessed by any that are not in good standing with or compliant to the beliefs of
the faith in question. Any that profess heresy or go are unrepentant in the
ways contrary to the faith are not blessed in marriage. This cannot be changed,
or the Faith fails to uphold the faith of its God.
So it is with the Christian faith, whose Lord and God and
Savior Jesus Christ, the perfect God became perfect man in order to perfect us
and our nature. That does not mean that we do not sin or cannot fall into sin.
It means that we struggle to overcome our sinful nature and turn to Christ, and
in marriage especially, we are helping eachother to do just that: to become
better than we are. St. Paul also speaks of those who struggle in the single
life (monastic), and follow the example of Christ Himself by not taking bride
or falling into carnal sin.
We, all believers, fall short. We all struggle onward. We
all look to Christ for redemption. And
that is the process of Marriage to, to constantly work on ourselves that we
might become better Christians and better people.
But the fear of many in the Christian Church is that this
recent ruling will force priests and pastors to perform marriages between
people who are not only non-believers in these ideals, but also those acting in
open sin and violation of the beliefs of the Church. That is not an acceptable
position for the Church, as it cannot fulfill its mission of it itself is mired
in sin.
The fear is that those who want a traditional Christian
marriage (or any religious marriage that does not assent to the governmental
position) but are not believers or are living outside of the beliefs of the
Church will force by fine, sanction, or police force priests and pastors to perform marriages
outside of their moral scruples. Since believers will not bend, it will result
in an outright slew of civil lawsuits and civil actions against the churches
who still uphold to the traditional view of marriage.
Some people will think this ridiculous, especially in light
of the caveat to the ruling that churches will not be forced into compliance.
Yet the recent news (on both liberal and conservative outlets) is riddled with
businesses that have been persecuted and sanctioned governmentaly by the local
state authority for not falling in line with same-sex policy. There has been
hate spewed at businesses that do not cater to gay marriage, and picketing,
vile language, and even threats of burning those businesses down. This is not
simply sensationalism. Radical as these movements seem, and sporadic, they seem
to get the most attention. So what is to stop the same threats and legal action
to be taken if a church says “No” to a gay couple now that the recent law is enacted?
That is what is on the minds and in the fears of Christians
and religious everywhere in this nation today.
I know this sound extreme, and even perhaps a little silly
to think these things, as most gay and lesbians are decent folk who would never
dream of doing these sort of things. In their view, if one church or religion
does not accept the way they want to live, they will find another, or forgo
religion and simply get a civil marriage. I have friends (and real friends are
not afraid to talk about anything) who understand my view, and I theirs. Though
we do not agree, we do respect eachother’s views on the subjects that we
debate. Civil discourse is the key to understanding.
But it is the simple fact that radical elements do exist
that would see these atrocities committed in the name of the new law that we
believers fear. I know it is the same on the other end of the spectrum as well,
and the persecutions have been well documented. Idiots exist on both end of the
strata, and unfortunately, tend to be the loudest in these heated and sensitive
issues. Cool heads do not often prevail, and violence and idiocy continue
because of ignorance and unwillingness to listen, or to understand the opposing
view.
My opinion on this issue is this. I am a Christian, and an
Orthodox Christian at that. That means that my Church upholds the most ancient
and venerable faith of its Lord and God and Savior. I agree with the statements
made by my Church in this matter. We stand with the traditional view of
marriage: Man and Woman. I can foresee no reason for change in this matter, as
popular views do not affect the beliefs of my Faith, or the road to Theosis
(transformation), and there never will be one.
This said, I love and am called to love everyone, and to
live accordingly. I am to look to my own sins, and not the sins of others. I am
called to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and to pray for everyone, lowly
and unworthy though I am. I do not reach out in hate, nor do I want to shame
others. I seek to live in the light of Christ, and that means loving as He
loves. That does not mean I acquiesce to views contrary of my own or to those
of the Church. But I will talk in a loving matter when called to upon these
matters. I do not often get into matters of debate, but rather choose to act in
love.
Yet I choose to do this today to explain perhaps why there
is a reaction against this, and to explain our fears and understanding to those
who perhaps would not hear this in other ways rather than the caustic way the
media tends to cover this. I am sorry if this offends any, but it need be said.
The Christian Church (and Orthodoxy in particular) is called to love without
ceasing, but not to bend to the view of popular opinion. To the uninitiated, it
may seem like a hard, immovable stance. But it is in fact, a view based in love
and held firm by my Christian conviction. Politics change. God’s Church must
not.
Peace and Grace be with you all.
Lazarus
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